I believe that every person is born with talent.

Everyone grows old but not everyone grows up.

Hold those things that tell your history and protect them. During slavery, who was able to read or write or keep anything? The ability to have somebody to tell your story to is so important. It says: 'I was here. I may be sold tomorrow. But you know I was here.'

I think that that's the wisest thing - to prevent illness before we try to cure something.

Those who have something to say accept the fact that that's lonely. One already knows that there will be adversaries.

I find in my poetry and prose the rhythms and imagery of the best - I mean, when I'm at my best - of the good Southern black preachers. The lyricism of the spirituals and the directness of gospel songs and the mystery of blues are in my music or in my poetry and prose, or I missed everything.

Hope is born again in the faces of children.