Many people today believe that cynicism requires courage. Actually, cynicism is the height of cowardice. It is innocence and open-heartednes s that requires the true courage -- however often we are hurt as a result of it.

we need poetry most at those moments when life astounds us with losses, gains, or celebrations. We need it most when we are most hurt, most happy, most downcast, most jubilant. Poetry is the language we speak in times of greatest need. And the fact that it is an endangered species in our culture tells us that we are in deep trouble.

A baby's mother also needs a mother.

My generation had Doris Day as a role model, then Gloria Steinem--then Princess Diana. We are the most confused generation.

It's hard to do fiction and nonfiction simultaneously.

Someday every woman will have orgasms- like every family has color TV- and we can all get on with the business of life.

How could one create life with someone who represented death?