But I still couldn't figure out what it all meant. The more I found out, the less I understood.

There are two kinds of sculptures. There's the kind that subtracts: Michelangelo starts with a block of marble and chips away. And then there is the kind that adds, building with clay, piling it on. The way I write novels is to keep piling on and piling on and piling on.

Was his death an essential stage in the continuation of his life?

Imagine being served a plate of sushi. But this plate also holds all of the animals that were killed for your serving of sushi. The plate might have to be five feet across.

Also, I designed a pretty fascinating bracelet, where you put a rubber band around your favorite book of poems for a year, and then you take it off and wear it.

I looked at everyone and wondered where they came from, and who they missed, and what they were sorry for.

I can forgive you for leaving, but not for coming back.