I love the idea of species fluidity, I guess, the sense of the maiden inherent in the swan or seal, the youth inherent in the bear or deer. After all, human beings are animals.

Aren't we most aware of our animal natures when love or hunger or hatred burns through reason and encourages us to do exactly what we desire to do, with frequently tragic results?

I've always loved stories of animals and birds that can appear to be human, just by taking off their skins or their feathers.

The fact that I seem to prefer seals over any other animal brides is something I hadn't actually realized until this moment. Perhaps it's because there's a lot of very cool folklore about it.

Not all animal brides are doomed. Not all men are greedy or violent or possessive.

I can't rhyme for little green apples. What I can do is scan and make patterns.

Poetry, for me, conveys the essence of narrative rather than its particulars.