Hatred is the ballast of the rock which lies upon our necks and underfoot.

Here on the pulse of this new day You may have the grace to look up and out And into your sister's eyes, Into your brother's face, your country And say simply Very simply With hope Good morning.

Without courage we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency.

Poetry helps my soul escape its encasement.

Human beings are more alike than unalike. Whether in Paris, Texas, or Paris, France, we all want to have good jobs where we are needed and respected and paid just a little more than we deserve. We want healthy children, safe streets, to be loved and have the unmitigated gall to accept love. If we are religious, we want a place to perpetuate God. If not, we want a good lecture every once in a while. And everyone wants someplace to party on Saturday nights.

There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.

Writing and cookery are just two different means of communication.