“The desire to reach for the stars is ambitious. The desire to reach hearts is wise.”

“I hope that I may always desire more than I can accomplish.”

“I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone.People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.”

“As far as I knew white women were never lonely, except in books. White men adored them, Black men desired them and Black women worked for them.”

“Cotton rows crisscross the worldAnd dead-tired nights of yearningThunderbolts on leather stropsAnd all my body burningSugar cane reach up to GodAnd every baby cryingShame a blanket of my nightAnd all my days are dying”

“Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's sizeBut when I start to tell them,They think I'm telling lies.I say,It's in the reach of my armsThe span of my hips,The stride of my step,The curl of my lips.I'm a womanPhenomenally.Phenomenal woman,That's me.”

“There is a true yearning to respond to the singing river and wise rock.”