I write to tell the truth about the black condition as I see it. Therefore, I write to offer a black woman's view of the world.

The joy of poetry is that it will wait for you. Novels don't wait for you. Characters change. But poetry will wait. I think it's the greatest art.

No. Don't never go looking for love girl. Just wait. It'll come. Like the rain fallin' from the heaven, it'll come. Just don't never give up on love.

All poets, all writers are political. They either maintain the status quo, or they say, 'Something's wrong, let's change it for the better.'

I probably have not killed anyone in America because I write, I've maintained good controls over myself by writing.

The black artist is dangerous. Black art controls the 'Negro's' reality, negates negative influences, and creates positive images.

I cannot tell the truth about anything unless I confess being a student, growing and learning something new every day. The more I learn, the clearer my view of the world becomes.