Writing a poem ... is a kind of possible love affair between something like the heart (that courageous but also shy factory of emotion) and the learned skills of the conscious mind.

Poetry isn't a profession, it's a way of life. It's an empty basket; you put your life into it and make something out of that.

I wanted to hurry into the work of my life; I wanted to know, whoever I was, I was alive for a little while.

I think one thing is that prayer has become more useful, interesting, fruitful, and... almost involuntary in my life.

All night my heart makes its way however it can over the rough ground of uncertainties, but only until night meets and then is overwhelmed by morning, the light deepening, the wind easing and just waiting, as I too wait (and when have I ever been disappointed?) for redbird to sing

I have trouble with some books because I'm so much in agreement with them I'd rather just sit in the grass myself.

We do not love anything more deeply than we love a story.