The brands with which we surround ourselves prop us up, make us feel sexy and beautiful, when in reality we're pretty dumpy creatures.

Negative space is important. When I teach students to read critically I advise them to look for what the author isn't saying just as carefully as for what he or she is.

Whenever I do a comedy show I still just read poems, some of which are intentionally funny and some of which are just bizarre. The mix seems to work well.

Writing essays and teaching composition have helped me immensely in writing poetry, because they've forced me to focus on the structure of ideas.

After the first few readings in comedy venues I did begin to write for laughs. There's something so gratifying about stimulating laughter.

I don't really want to write fiction at all. I don't see why fiction is necessary when we have real life already confusing enough.

Surprise keeps the reader awake. The only alternative is to continue saying what the reader is expecting. What fun is that?

Poetry is a way for me to explore a tingly feeling, to let it play itself out, and also to map it. I feel like I'm making little star maps when I write poems.

To create an inner peace of mind, be humble, gentle, harmonious, and kind.

Dogmatism is inversely proportional to evidence.

Death is a companion for all of us, whether we acknowledge it or not, whether we're aware of it or not, and it's not necessarily a terrible thing.

It is legitimate for the Turks to try to defend themselves.

Love is like air we can't see it but feel it.

The vision of time is broad, but when you pass through it, time becomes a narrow door.

Avoid lawsuits beyond all things; they pervert your conscience, impair your health, and dissipate your property.

Futility has become a great subject, full of opportunities.

Of course, nobody does [want another Cuban Missile Crisis].

There is no use for energy of any kind whatsoever unless there is a plan back of it.