When I was young, I knew William Burroughs really well. And William's secret desire, which he never quite did, was to write a straightforward detective novel.

Acknowledge all man as fellow creation, but don't follow him.

I never had aspirations to go into politics or medicine. I always wanted to be an artist of some sort. I wasn't so politically motivated. I felt that the world from an early age was disappointing. My father taught me about the bomb, and it was eye-opening. From then on, I thought grown-ups needed to do a better job. I still think that.

I started resenting how much art robs from life. I'd go to a party and I couldn't enjoy myself, even sexually. All I could think was how I was going to reinvent the experience into a piece of art.

Good press, bad press, whatever, only means a lot to me if it's writ by somebody I respect, by somebody I like.

I could have a job as a teacher because I like talking in front of people.

Remember, we are mortal, but poetry is not.