I think that when a poem can move readers across generations and across its specific class or race then it becomes truly classic.

In working on a poem, I love to revise. Lots of younger poets don't enjoy this, but in the process of revision I discover things

I loved to read, but I always thought that the dream was too far away. The person who had written the book was a god, it wasn't a person.

My favorite poets may not be your bread and butter. I have more favorite poems than favorite poets.

Equality and self-determination should never be divided in the name of religious or ideological fervor.

My childhood library was small enough not to be intimidating. And yet I felt the whole world was contained in those two rooms. I could walk any aisle and smell wisdom.

If we’re going to solve the problems of the world, we have to learn how to talk to one another. Poetry is the language at its essence. It’s the bones and the skeleton of the language. It teaches you, if nothing else, how to choose your words.