I don't believe in god, so I don't have to make elaborately sounded structures. ... Pain always produces logic, which is very bad for you. ... As for measure and other technical apparatus, that's just common sense: if you're going to buy a pair of pants you want them to be tight enough so everyone will want to go to bed with you. There's nothing metaphysical about it.

Even trees understand me! Good heavens, I lie under them, too, don't I? I'm just like a pile of leaves.

I wish I weren’t reeling at all.

oh god it’s wonderful to get out of bed and drink too much coffee and smoke too many cigarettes and love you so much

There is a geography which holds its hands just so far from the breast and pushes you away, crying so.

Kerouac: You're ruining American poetry, O'Hara. O'Hara: That's more than you ever did for it, Kerouac

I love you. I love you, but I’m turning to my verses and my heart is closing like a fist.