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

I shall become, I shall become a collector of me. And put meat on my soul.

And I cried… for all of the women who stretched their bodies for civilizations, only to find ruins.

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.'

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

...I write to keep in contact with our ancestors and to spread truth to people.