To practice your scales, so to speak, in order play the symphony, is what you have to do as a young poet.
Rita DoveThere are times in life when, instead of complaining, you do something about your complaints.
Rita DoveBeing Poet Laureate made me realize I was capable of a larger voice. There is a more public utterance I can make as a poet.
Rita DoveTo write for PC reasons, because you think you ought to be dealing with this subject, is never going to yield anything that is really going to matter to anyone else. It has to matter to you.
Rita Dove