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

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

There are distinct duties of a poet laureate. I plan a reading series at the Library of Congress and advise the librarian. The rest is how I want to promote poetry

I thought, after the Pulitzer, at least nothing will surprise me quite that much in my life. And another one happened. It was quite amazing.

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.

The library is an arena of possibility, opening both a window into the soul and a door onto the world.

By making us stop for a moment, poetry gives us an opportunity to think about ourselves as human beings on this planet and what we mean to each other.