The first poem I ever wrote, about loss, when I was 5 years old, expressed the themes of everything I would ever write.

I never thought of myself as either a woman or a man. I thought of myself as a person who was born to a writer, who was doomed to be a writer.

At the age of 18 all young poets are sure they will be dead at 21 - of old age.

I'm quite sure that most writers would sustain real poetry if they could, but it takes devotion and talent.

I think there is a rage against women. I've come to see that now although at the time I did not notice it. I was preoccupied with my teaching and my writing.

When the dream came into being, I always pursued it.

Don't blindly follow any leader.