Poetry gave me back my voice.

I have great respect for the past.

Love recognizes no barriers.

I was told many years ago by my grandmother who raised me: If somebody puts you on a road and you don't feel comfortable on it and you look ahead and you don't like the destination and you look behind and you don't want to return to that place, step off the road.

No not me go find someone else to bring down

Laugh and dare to try to love somebody, starting with yourself. You must love yourself first, of course, and you must protect yourself so that nobody overrides you, overrules you, or steps on you. Just say, 'Just a minute. I'm worth everything, dear.'

My grandmother told me that every good thing I do helps some human being in the world. I believed her 50 years ago and still do.