His headstone said FREE AT LAST, FREE AT LAST But death is a slave's freedom We seek the freedom of free men And the construction of a world Where Martin Luther King could have lived and preached nonviolence.

The poet can only write the poems; it takes the reader to complete the meaning.

I do not understand why any poet or writer would run for office; that's a different sense of who you are. I'm just a poet. I am as truthful as I can be. That makes me an artist. I heed the people; I do not lead the people.

I think that too many strangers were in her [Nina Simone's] life, and not enough people that she knew and loved.

Once you know who you are, you don't have to worry anymore.

I try to impress upon my students the importance of looking, listening... paying attention, in other words. You must pay attention.

Some say we are responsible for those we love. Others know we are responsible for those who love us.