I did not have a very literary background. I came to poetry from the sciences and mathematics, and also through an interest in Japanese and Chinese poetry in translation.

The decision to write in prose instead of poetry is made more by the readers than by writers. Almost no one is interested in reading narrative in verse.

I considered going to film school; I took a course in film and was very interested in filmmaking as well as film writing.

Pound's translation of Chinese poetry was maybe the most important thing I read. Eliot a little bit later.

Philip Larkin has a tough honesty and sense of humor that I find irresistible, as a contemporary poet.

Neither of my parents has been very sensitive about my writing.

I don't think the creative writing industry has helped American poetry.