I see a correlation between short stories and songs, because of their length and for what they're meant to evoke. Combine certain words with melodies and it all becomes very moving.

By the time I was 12 or 13, I felt that I was special, because I could play the guitar and write songs.

Who am I to blow against the wind?

People ask how I feel about getting old. I tell them I have the same question. I'm learning as I go.

It was easier than explaining DiMaggio's use as a metaphor.

I have my books And my poetry to protect me; I am shielded in my armor, Hiding in my room, safe within my womb. I touch no one and no one touches me. I am a rock, I am an island.

I sort of recognize it, as opposed to shaping it. Oh, that's a good idea, that's a good line. I wonder where I can use that. And when you get into a rhyme group like 'not,' you got a lot of rhymes, you got a lot of choices. The more you do it, the luckier you get.