I can work on a verse for a very long time before realising it's not any good and then, and only then, can I discard it.

There's always a nice tune [on radio] - helps you get the dishes done . I like to get the news from time to time - not too often. I don't feel deprived.

I have tried in my way to be free.

Seriousness is the deepest pleasure we have.

I never really liked poetry readings; I liked to read poetry by myself, but I liked singing, chanting my lyrics to this jazz group.

No one's ever done one of my songs badly. People say to me, "God, so-and-so wrecked that song." Well, I'm unaware of it. Anybody doing one of my tunes has earned my gratitude, and I don't get that many covers where I have the luxury to choose.

Suffering, violent suffering, seems to be something that corresponds with something that we experience.