I think the best American poetry is the poetry that utilizes the resources of poetry rather than exploits the defects or triumphs of the poet's personality.

Sometimes he did not know if he slept or just thought about sleep.

...In another time, What cannot be seen will define us, and we shall be prompted To say that language is error, and all things are wronged By representation. The self, we shall say, can never be Seen with a disguise, and never be seen without one.

I tend to like poems that engage me - that is to say, which do not bore me.

I would say that American poetry has always been a poetry of personal testimony.

I haven’t met God and I haven’t been to heaven, so I’m skeptical.

No voice comes from outer space, from the folds of dust and carpets of wind to tell us that this is the way it was meant to happen, that if only we knew how long the ruins would last we would never complain.