I have always felt that a woman has the right to treat the subject of her age with ambiguity until, perhaps, she passes into the realm of over ninety. Then it is better she be candid with herself and with the world.

Yesterday is done. Tomorrow never comes. Today is here. If you don't know what to do, sit still and listen. You may hear something. Nobody knows.

I'll die propped up in bed trying to do a poem about America.

Ordering a man to write a poem is like commanding a pregnant woman to give birth to a red-headed child.

Poetry is an echo, asking a shadow to dance.

Nothing happens unless first we dream.

I decided I would go to Chicago and try my luck as a writer after those eight months as a fireman.