Poetry is subconscious conversation, it is as much the work of those who understand it and those who make it.

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.

Zora Neale Hurston said fear is the greatest emotion and I said, 'No my dear sister.' Fear will make us move to save our own skins. Love also makes us save ourselves, but it will make us move to save others as well.

Poetry is subconscious conversation, it is as much the work of those who understand it and those who make it.

What I'm trying to do is to tell young people that I teach them how to breathe before I teach the haiku. That one breath, that one breath, because the haiku keeps you alive. It keeps you going. If you learn how to breath the haiku, you learn how to breathe. If you learn how to breathe, you're much healthier.

The words loved me and I loved them in return.

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