Certainly, it seems true enough that there's a good deal of irony in the world... I mean, if you live in a world full of politicians and advertising, there's obviously a lot of deception.

It's enormously cheering to get a good review by someone who seems to understand your work.

I certainly have the feeling that I'm the same person even though I've changed a great deal.

I'm a writer who likes to be influenced.

It takes a long time to publish a book.

I love painting and music, of course. I don't know nearly as much about them as I know about poetry. I've certainly been influenced by fiction. I was overwhelmed by War and Peace when I read it, and I didn't read it until I was in my late 20s.

If you want to know how much I love and care for you, count the waves.