I'm quite sure that most writers would sustain real poetry if they could, but it takes devotion and talent.

I'm as much influenced by Joseph Smith and the Mormons as I am, more so, than by Eliot. Actually, I'm much more influenced by the poetry of the Mormons.

I guess the two Manifesto, Communicating Vessels, Mad Love, and some of his poetry made a significant mark on me but as far as bringing a literary element into the music I see it as a much broader assimilation.

Even if you only want to write science fiction, you should also read mysteries, poetry, mainstream literature, history, biography, philosophy, and science.

It's necessary to start most work alone. But I'm tickled to death when I can pull somebody in or join someone, whether it's borrowing poetry or traveling with an associate.

It's always good when women win things in fiction because it tends to be more male-dominated, unlike poetry, which is more equal.

Poetry and prayer are very similar.

Auden said poetry makes nothing happen. But I wonder if the opposite could be true. It could make something happen.

I grew up in a bookless house - my parents didn't read poetry, so if I hadn't had the chance to experience it at school I'd never have experienced it. But I loved English, and I was very lucky in that I had inspirational English teachers, Miss Scriven and Mr. Walker, and they liked us to learn poems by heart, which I found I loved doing.

I think poetry can help children deal with the other subjects on the curriculum by enabling them to see a subject in a new way.