We are better than we think and not yet what we want to be.

Poets can tell the truth as they see it. It’s the author’s story, the author’s voice.

We believe 'Peter Rabbit' because Beatrix Potter believes it. You have to.

Poetry is music though, unfortunately, not all music is poetry. Because music has other carriers to take its message - beats, lyrics, singers, bass players - anyone in music can rise to make a major statement but in poetry there are only words to do the work. And they do sometimes have to sweat.

Violence is like money in the bank; it's only helpful if you don't have to use it.

Style has a profound meaning to Black Americans. If we can’t drive, we will invent walks and the world will envy the dexterity of our feet. If we can’t have ham, we will boil chitterlings; if we are given rotten peaches, we will make cobblers; if given scraps, we will make quilts; take away our drums, and we will clap our hands. We prove the human spirit will prevail. We will take what we have to make what we need. We need confidence in our knowledge of who we are.

Writers ... I think ... live on that fine line between insanity and genius.