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.

To practice your scales, so to speak, in order play the symphony, is what you have to do as a young poet.

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

Being Poet Laureate made me realize I was capable of a larger voice. There is a more public utterance I can make as a poet.

To 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.

I believe people may have a predisposition for artistic creativity. It doesn't mean they're going to make it.

We should always do something that makes us feel like a child again. Keep learning, no matter what it is.