I enjoy working on a number of projects - books - at once.

One of the things I'm constantly telling my students is that they're never going to write a poem everyone gets, or if they do, they've failed. They should leave someone behind every time.

Human suffering is articulated in language; communication is how we seek help, consolation, etc.

I figure I write for people who are intelligent enough to do some labor. Lazy readers are not my ideal readers.

Revision is a good impulse to have.

I turned to human suffering because - this may sound odd - animal suffering is more difficult for me to deal with.

I like to move around in the landscape between poetry and prose, between the lyrical and the narrative.

I never try to force poems into a collection simply because they were written/published within a certain period of time. They will eventually find their perfect home.

I tend to overuse the word "project" only because "book" is terrifying while I'm still in the middle of something. A project can fail. I don't want a book to fail.

I always revise when I publish in a book. So versions in magazines are sometimes slightly different.

I pay editors. I never ask friends or colleagues to work for free.

Your mind is a Microcosm of strength and power. There’s all the magic you need in it. When all else fails, search within!

I wrote my first piano piece when I was in 4th grade.

Leaders of nations, and people whose wealth or fame gives them power over the lives of others quite often do more harm than good.

The majority is the best way, because it is visible, and has strength to make itself obeyed. Yet it is the opinion of the least able.

Those who are one with deprivation are deprived of deprivation.

The proof is in the pudding.

Happiness is a shadow of harmony; it follows harmony. There is no other way to be happy.

Why does everybody thing things are always contractual? I saw a shitload of questions and thought "better keep these answers short or I'll never get to all of these".

Let the young rain of tears come, let the calm hands of grief come. It's not all as evil as you think.

Everyone feels loss and love and laughter. That's what connects humanity. It's why I love Shakespeare.