If I could give you one thought, it would be to lift someone up. Lift a stranger up--lift her up. I would ask you, mother and father, brother and sister, lovers, mother and daughter, father and son, lift someone. The very idea of lifting someone up will lift you, as well.

The real difficulty is to overcome how you think about yourself.

I think we ought to give ourselves more time. We should be more patient with ourselves and with each other.

I think all poems are commissioned. They just come to me without somebody outside commissioning them. The idea comes and I will live with them 'til I get it as close to what I mean. I've never been totally satisfied. I've come close a few times.

To grow up is to stop putting blame on parents.

The only way you can be a mark is if you want something for nothing. If you're greedy, you're set up.

I think we have systematically and critically harmed ourselves and many young people by advising them not to try things.