When a philosopher, scientist, or psychologist discusses the discrepancy between the actual and the ideal, he or she attempts to convince us with the tools of discursive thought ... An artist does it differently ... their primary approach is different, even though both groups, if you will, are investigating the actual, the ideal, and the discrepancy in between.

Actions have consequences. Ignorance about the nature of those actions does not free a person from responsibility for the consequences. (28)

Baudelaire's L'Héautontimorouménos was long seen to be a sexual sadomasochistic poem, it is now generally accepted that the poem is about writing poetry.

I can't believe there is a poet who hasn't eagerly put down a word one day, only to erase it the next day deciding it was sheer lunacy. It's part of the process of selection.

It was as if pain were a room he had entered and the door had been locked behind him.

Other than fiction and poetry I tend to read history.

One writes a poem when one is so taken up by an emotional concept that one is unable to remain silent.