One way to get very humble is to dedicate the work you're going to do to your community.

The most powerful speaking you can do is the speaking that comes from your heart and your love.

There are still many writers out in the Bay, extraordinary writers like Gina Valdez, a poet who I just saw in Portland. We have young people like Eduardo Corral, who won the Yale Younger Poets Award. José Antonio Rodriguez, published by Luis Rodriguez. But there are only a few of us who are paid attention to in New York. There are legions behind us who are not.

"You're next, after the feather dancers." And you had to get their attention, because otherwise people would go, "Oh, a poet." You really have to learn.

[Dennis Mathis] was very sensitive about keeping the unique way that I spoke English - it had a lot of Mexicanisms or Mexican syntax. So you keep it in because it's adding something unique.

I don't really think our government at heart wants peace. So I urge you, write to Mrs. Laura Bush, because she reads.

As an artist, I have to be the ambassador of everything.