I do believe that a poem needs to remind the reader of his or her own humanity, of what they are, of what they're capable of. Awaken them, in a sense, to the fact that there's a world in front of their eyes, that they have a body, they're going to die, the sky is beautiful, it's fun to be in a grassy field when the sun is shining—those kinds of things.

If I believe in anything, it is in the dark night of the soul. Awe is my religion, and mystery is its church.

Roberto Calasso's survey of the renewed interest in myth demonstrates how decisive the gods' influence was on modern literature. Calasso is not only immensely learned; he is one of the most original thinkers and writers we have today.

When you play chess alone it's always your move.

The highest levels of consciousness are wordless.

Inside my empty bottle I was constructing a lighthouse while all others were making ships.

Making art in America is about saving one's soul.