As writers and readers, as sinners and citizens, our realism and our aesthetic sense make us wary of crediting the positive note.

Wherever that man went, he went gratefully.

In fact, in lyric poetry, truthfulness becomes recognizable as a ring of truth within the medium itself.

When I first encountered the name of the city of Stockholm, I little thought that I would ever visit it, never mind end up being welcomed to it as a guest of the Swedish Academy and the Nobel Foundation.

Suspect too much sweet talk but never close your mind.

History says, Don’t hope On this side of the grave, But then, once in a lifetime The longed-for tidal wave Of justice can rise up, And hope and history rhyme

When I was teaching, I gave a lot of my mind and anxiety to it. There was always something clenched and anxious in me until the classes were over.