In Western Civilization, our elders are books.

With no surroundings there can be no path, and with no path one cannot become free.

I never find words right away. Poems for me always begin with images and rhythms, shapes, feelings, forms, dances in the back of my mind.

Read carefully, then don't read; work hard, then forget about it; know your tradition, then liberate yourself from it; learn language, then free yourself from it. Finally, know at least one form of magic.

My Grandmother standing wordless fifteen minutes Between rows of loganberries, clippers poised in her hand.

Poetry a riprap on the slick rock of metaphysics

True affluence is to not need anything.