I never had that feeling that I had to carry the weight of somebody's ignorance around with me. And that was true for racists who wanted to use the 'n' word when talking about me or about my people, or the stupidity of people who really wanted to belittle other folks because they weren't pretty or they weren't rich or they weren't clever.

To be left alone on the tightrope of youthful unknowing is to experience the excruciating beauty of full freedom and the threat of eternal indecision.

Alone, all alone Nobody, but nobody Can make it out here alone.

I answer the heroic question, 'Death, where is thy sting?' with 'It is in my heart and mind and memories.

You never get over the fear of writing.

Preach it, I say preach it.

Poetry is music written for the human voice.