Nothing improves your writing, I think, as much as your keeping writing.

Deal with yourself as a individual, worthy of respect and make everyone else deal with you the same way.

I'm glad I understand that while language is a gift, listening is a responsibility. (U.S. poet and writer, 1943- )

Just as nature abhors a vacuum, humans resist change. Change will occur; vacuums will be filled.

I had a really nice childhood; I had great parents. I earned my allowance by washing dishes, and in the summer I earned my allowance by working in daddy's garden.

If everybody became a poet the world would be much better. We would all read to each other.

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.