I never thought I'd be doing poetry books. I never really studied poetry. But the first one I did was after my mother died, and I realized that people sort of think and talk about her style and fashion, but in fact, what made her the person she was was really her love of reading and ideas.

There's so much to think about when you're becoming an adult, and there's so many great poems about that apprehension and excitement.

Change isn't easy, it takes time.

I feel like my grandparents and parents gave me a tremendous amount. And if I can pass some of that on, then I'll be very happy.

Well I've been writing books. So that, by its nature, is kind of a solitary occupation. And from time to time I have research help, but mostly I've done those completely on my own.

I'm not as shy as everybody makes me out to be.

Well, the role of money in politics is pretty corrupting right now.