The most fundamental truth to be told in any art form, as far as Blacks are concerned, is that America is killing us.

I cannot tell the truth about anything unless I confess being a student, growing and learning something new every day. The more I learn, the clearer my view of the world becomes.

You can't have relationships with other people until you give birth to yourself.

All poets, all writers are political. They either maintain the status quo, or they say, 'Something's wrong, let's change it for the better.'

No. Don't never go looking for love girl. Just wait. It'll come. Like the rain fallin' from the heaven, it'll come. Just don't never give up on love.

I shall become, I shall become a collector of me. And put meat on my soul.

And I cried… for all of the women who stretched their bodies for civilizations, only to find ruins.

The black artist is dangerous. Black art controls the 'Negro's' reality, negates negative influences, and creates positive images.

... in order to be a true revolutionary, you must understand love. Love, sacrifice, and death.

...I write to keep in contact with our ancestors and to spread truth to people.

So much of growing up is an unbearable waiting. A constant longing for another time. Another season.

When I pictured myself, it was always like just an outline in a colouring book, with the inside not yet completed.

The beauty that is in you is greater than the ugliness that is around you.

The Harvester was the rustling of autumn leaves, there one minute, gone the next.

I bring my bike to work, and I make laps around our parking lot on my lunch break.

Toastmasters changed my life. They really did. Put me on the stage. I don’t know what I would have done without that positive boost.

The fool learns by suffering.

So dear to Heaven is saintly chastity, That, when a soul is found sincerely so, A thousand liveried angels lacky her, Driving far off each thing of sin and guilt.

Sometimes you have to show them what they want to see in order to get them to show you who they really are.

I do not love the money. What I do love is the getting of it ... What other interest can you suggest to me? I do not read. I do not take part in politics. What can I do?

A new home by a gap in the Meng wall; Of the old trees, a few gnarled willows are left. Those who come in the future, who will they be, Grieving in vain for what others had before?