There was one emotional outlet my people always had when they had the blues. That was singing.

I am an isolationist.

If I wanted pity, I got it because I'm illegitimate. And when I didn't want it I was mean and nasty.

Only those who are being burned know what fire is like.

We miss a lot in life because we don't know when to quit, what to leave out.

I was born out of wedlock. Nobody brought me up.

It has been an ache and a joy both to look over this big shoulder of mine at all my yesterdays.