Women in America read 'lifestyle' pages which are really glorifications of shopping. They teach us we must veil ourselves in make-up to be loved. And we willingly take the veil, thinking ourselves freed by it. Make-up is no more optional for us than the veil is for Arab women: it is our Western version of the chador.

I have not ceased being fearful, but I have ceased to let fear control me.

We find our calling or it finds us, and it's a sin against the fates not to use your talent when you have it.

What all the ads and whorescopes seemed to imply was that if only you took proper care of your smells, your hair, your boobs, your eyelashes, your armpits, your crotch, your stars, your scars, your choice of Scotch in bars - you would meet a beautiful powerful, potent, and rich man who would satisfy every longing, fill every hole, make your heart skip a beat (or stand still), make you misty, and fly you to the moon (preferably on gossamer wings), where you would live totally satisfied forever.

All people believe their suffering is greater than others.

... what is great poetry, after all, but the continuation of the human voice after death?

Famous people complain about fame, but they never want to give it back, myself included.