“When I am asked how I began writing poems, I talk about the indifference of nature.”

“Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven's sakes. Now, I mean, I'm talking about singing in the shower, I'm talking about dancing to the radio, I'm talking about writing a poem to a friend--a lousy poem.”

“When I talk about free indirect style I am really talking about point of view, and when I talk about point of view I am really talking about the perception of detail, and when I talk about detail I'm really talking about character, and when I talk about character I am really talking about the real, which is at the bottom of my inquiries.”

“I am writing with my burnt hand about the nature of fire.”

“...I am writing these poems from inside a lion...”

“Sometimes,' she said, remembering that morning, 'I write poems that are taller than I am”