“I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.”

“I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as 'making a life'.”

“I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.”

“Take the blinders from your visiontake the padding from your earsand confess you've heard me crying and admit you've seen my tears.”

“Poetry puts starch in your backbone so you can stand, so you can compose your life.”

“I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.”

“I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back.”