The film [Dream of Life] doesn't hide anything, except maybe moments of sorrow or darkness that belonged to me.

If we keep our little flame alive, our first feeling of enthusiasm of who we are, without the influence or intervention of others, we will prevail.

I don't know why, the very first word on my very first record is 'Jesus.' I still invoke him as an entity to reckon with.

Remember, we are mortal, but poetry is not.

I wanted to go to Portland because it's a really good book town.

I'm not a critic. I'm not a journalist. I'm not a philosopher. Arguing that punk has run its course is like saying painting ran its course after the Renaissance. Punk is an idea. It's freedom. And it'll be around 200 years from now for the people who want it.

Poetry is a solitary process. One does not write poetry for the masses. Poetry is a self-involved, lofty pursuit. Songs are for the people. When I'm writing a song, I imagine performing it. I imagine giving it. It's a different aspect of communication. It's for the people.