I think if you put something in a file that says "war poems" or "love poems" that you already restrict the way in which the poem might move.

Crassly put: When I write, I am trying not to bore myself and my readers.

I was appointed Poet Laureate. It came totally out of the blue because most Poet Laureates had been considerably older than I. It was not something that I even had begun to dream about!

The sound of the mandolin is a very curious sound because it's cheerful and melancholy at the same time, and I think it comes from that shadow string, the double strings.

It makes me furious to hear haters of all skin colors - especially Christian, Jewish, and Muslim fundamentalists - deride other people because of their different beliefs and lifestyles.

I always loved science. And in fact, I got a science award in high school. I mean, I loved science, but I think I loved literature more.

A good poem is like a bouillon cube. It's concentrated and it nourishes you when you need it.