Isolation, you know, carries the seeds of its own destruction because as times change, other things seep in.

I think some aspects of writing can be taught. Obviously, you can't teach vision or talent. But you can help with comfort.

[Obama is ] creative imagination which coupled with brilliance equals wisdom . . . [He is] the man for this time.

And I am all the things I have ever loved: scuppernong wine, cool baptisms in silent water, dream books and number playing.

One has to work very carefully with what is in between the words. What is not said. Which is measure, which is rhythm and so on. So, it is what you don't write that frequently gives what you do write its power.

The pieces I am, she gather them and gave them back to me in all the right order.

But maybe a man was nothing but a man, which is what Baby Suggs always said. They encouraged you to put some of your weight in their hands and soon as you felt how light and lovely that was, they studied your scars and tribulations, after which they did what he had done: ran her children out and tore up the house. [...] A man ain't nothing but a man,' said Baby Suggs. 'But a son? Well now, that's somebody.