Poetry comes alive to me through recitation.

I don't want to live in a culture of despair. I'd like to live in a culture of hope.

I was shy. Bookish. The kind of 13-year-old girl who, instead of having a boyfriend, would have a crush on a dead, 19th-century author!

Poetry comes alive to me through recitation.

There is one tradition in America I am proud to inherit. It is our first freedom and the truest expression of our Americanism: the ability to dissent without fear. It is our right to utter the words, 'I disagree.' We must feel at liberty to speak those words to our neighbors, our clergy, our educators, our news media, our lawmakers and, above all, to the one among us we elect - President.

Have I been wrong? Have I been wise to shut my eyes?

I'm on this search trying to figure out exactly who I am and what I have to say to people.