My gut was always that if I taught students poetry, I would give too much of myself to them and have nothing left.

Most people are trying to go digital, and trying to do different things with poetry. McSweeney's is going in the opposite direction - going more classic, and retro, which is all coming back.

I was sort of obsessed about corporate people committing suicide.

Sometimes I feel like I'm on top of the world, and other mornings I feel like crap.

I can't help but go against the grain, I suppose it is in my fabric to be a rule-breaker.

I am always reading, always, and tons of things at once. I wouldn't say I'm a voracious reader, though. I never finish books that fast, because I'm always reading so many things at once.

I think my way of being "funny" is just saying things that people think but have learned not to say, whereas, I haven't learned not to say them.

There's an attraction to emotional clusters or hypocrisies or awkwardness. A desire to expose something or point at something that's already poking out.

I feel like I give myself all day long to other people and other things, and I still seem like I have something to write once in awhile. Not often, though.

I think I've always felt very isolated, and I'm sure lots of poets do.

I think e-mail and social media and all that has made me feel way less isolated than ever before.

Let your feelings of gratitude dance in your heart and be expressed through your love and kindness.

Anytime you think you hate somebody, what you do is pray for them. Try it, you’ll see.

Over the mountain growths, disease and sorrow, An uncaught bird is ever hovering, hovering, High in the purer, happier air.

I met Leonardo DiCaprio and Busta Rhymes the same night, on my birthday in New York.

A Good School deserves to be call'd, the very Salt of the Town, that hath it.

The grand style arises when beauty wins a victory over the monstrous.

I drive [Susan Sarandon] nuts. I'm always talking about her being my hero. I'm sure she's probably sick of it.

Though a lie be well drest, it is ever overcome. [Though a lie be well dressed, it is ever overcome.]

I attended Sunday School and then church with my father and mother throughout my childhood.

Image is an international language.