I don't know where a poem comes from until after I've lived with it a long time. I've a notion that a poem comes from absolutely everything that every happened to you.

Less is more, in prose as in architecture.

The greatest kindness would put a bullet in his bright eye.

Baseball, because of its continuity over the space of America and the time of America, is a place where memory gathers.

If our goal is to write poetry, the only way we are likely to be any good is to try to be as great as the best.

Every now and then I meet someone certain of personal greatness. I want to pat this person on the shoulder and mutter comforting words: "Things will get better! You won't always feel so depressed! Cheer up!"

I don't know where a poem comes from until after I've lived with it a long time. I've a notion that a poem comes from absolutely everything that every happened to you.