Poetry must be capable of answering the challenge of apocalytpic times, even if this means sounding apocaltypic.

Don't bow down to critics who have not themselves written great masterpieces.

In Plato's republic, poets were considered subversive, a danger to the republic. I kind of relish that role. So I see my present role as a gadfly, to use my soapbox to promote my various ideas and obsesions.

Southern California, where the American Dream came too true.

Constantly risking absurdity and death whenever he performs above the heads of his audience, the poet, like an acrobat, climbs on rhyme to a high wire of his own making.

I didn’t know that painters and writers retired. They’re like soldiers – they just fade away.

The art has to make it on its own, without explanations, and it’s the same for poetry. If the poem or the painting has to be explained, then it’s a failure in communication.