I thought of a labyrinth of labyrinths, of one sinuous spreading labyrinth that would encompass the past and the future . . . I felt myself to be, for an unknown period of time, an abstract perceiver of the world.

I might accept immortality, if I had to do it. But I would prefer - if there is any afterlife - to know nothing whatever about Borges, about his experiences in this world.

Art is very mysterious. I wonder if you can really do any damage to art. I think that when we're writing, something comes through or should come through, in spite of our theories. So theories are not really important.

I have no personal system of philosophy. I never attempt to do that. I am merely a man of letters.

Poetry springs from something deeper; it's beyond intelligence.

Best thing to happen for a poet. A fine death, no? An impressive death.

I never reread what I've written. I'm far too afraid to feel ashamed of what I've done.