To think of writing poetry as a "career" is not only ridiculous, it's dangerous. To the imagination. To the way one thinks of art. The reason poetry as a genre is so special is because it cannot be made a commodity.

I place a lot of emphasis on process and revision because I believe that all of my students can become better writers through hard work.

Different drinks have different metaphorical weight. Wine's heady, gin is poisonous, vodka's cold, and beer is plain boring. In real life, I'm a big fan of boxed white wine, much to the dismay of my more refined friends.

I consider poetry my vocation, not my "career." My career is as a university professor; that's what pays the bills.

When fiction writers like my poems I feel like I've hit the jackpot.

One of the reasons poetry is such an amazing genre to work with is because it constantly reinvents itself and re-negotiates its terms with the reader.

I have no precise idea of who makes up my readership. I'm surprised when I discover people have read my poems at all.