The soul's bliss and suffering are bound together.

A poet's job is to find a name for everything: to be a fearless finder of the names of things.

Let it come, as it will, and don't be afraid. God does not leave us comfortless, so let evening come.

The poet's job is to put into words those feelings we all have that are so deep, so important, and yet so difficult to name, to tell the truth in such a beautiful way, that people cannot live without it.

Everyone longs for love's tense joys and red delights.

Be a good steward of your gifts. Protect your time. Feed your inner life. Avoid too much noise. Read good books, have good sentences in your ears. Be by yourself as often as you can. Walk. Take the phone off the hook. Work regular hours.

If it's darkness we're having, let it be extravagant.