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

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

There are times in life when, instead of complaining, you do something about your complaints.

In fact, sometimes traveling the world is a way of not writing a poem, but it's the quality of experience. It's being able to experience something and when you begin to write about it be able to apply the tools that you need for writing.

Being true to yourself really means being true to all the complexities of the human spirit.

My inspiration comes from everywhere, just walking down the street and I never know where it's going to come from, so I keep a notebook with me at all times and the only criteria for anything making it into that notebook is if it stops me in my tracks for even an instant, if it catches my eye or my ear and I just write it down.

Poetry connects you to yourself, to the self that doesn't know how to talk or negotiate.