Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.

Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.

Forgiveness. It's one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, to forgive. Forgive everybody. You are relieved of carrying that burden of resentment. You really are lighter. You feel lighter. You just drop that.

Love liberates. It doesn't just hold, that's ego. Love liberates.

Most people don't grow up. It's too damn difficult. What happens is most people get older.

If I'm the people's poet, then I ought to be in people's hands - and, I hope, in their heart.

I believe in living a poetic life, an art full life. Everything we do from the way we raise our children to the way we welcome our friends is part of a large canvas we are creating.