Sometimes it takes a while to recognize that someone has a special ability to get us to believe in ourselves, to tie that belief to our highest ideals and imagine that together we can do great things. In those rare moments, when such a person comes along, we need to put aside our plans and reach for what we know is possible.

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.

I grew up in a household where reading was encouraged. My mother believed in the power of words, and my father obviously did too.

I know my mother so well, so it's hard for me to remember that people have a certain image of her, but they don't really know her personality.

Most of the books that I've written have been focused on, sort of, the individual, and sort of, either a voice, a personal voice, or a kind of transforming event where they step forward to fight for something they value.

The biggest problem is people are afraid of poetry, think they can't understand it or that it will be boring.

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.