I think the main thing is: Just do it. Plunge in! Being Canadian, I go swimming in icy cold lakes, and there is always that dithering moment. "Am I really going to do this? Won't it hurt?" And at some point you just have to flop in there and scream. Once you're in, keep going. You may have to crumple and toss, but we all do that. Courage! I think that is what's most required.

Writing... is an act of faith: I believe it's also an act of hope, the hope that things can get better than they are.

At the very least we want a witness. We can't stand the idea of our own voices falling silent finally, like a radio running down.

I stand on the corner, pretending I am a tree.

Menopause. A pause while you reconsider men.

It wasn't so easy though, ending the war. A war is a huge fire; the ashes from it drift far, and settle slowly.

Time in dreams is frozen. You can never get away from where you've been.