One is distracted by this notion that there is such an thing as inspiration, that it comes fast and easy. And some people are graced by that style. I'm not. So I have to work as hard as any stiff to come up with my payload

It doesn't matter how anything happens.

I've forgotten most of what I've read and, frankly, it never seemed very important to me or to the world.

When you call me close to tell me your body is not beautiful I want to summon the eyes and hidden mouths of stone and light and water to testify against you.

Take one step to the side and it's all absurd.

I always felt I was scraping the bottom of the barrel trying to get a song together.

A poem has a certain - a different time. For instance, a poem is a very private experience, and it doesn't have a driving tempo. In other words, you know, you can go back and forward; you can comeback; you can linger. You know, it's a completely different time reference.