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And there are a lot more people reading poetry, but there are not so many people reading an individual poet.

We have to raise the consciousness; the only way poets can change the world is to raise the consciousness of the general populace.

More people than ever are slowly but surely turning their ears toward poetry.

One can't write for all readers. A poet cannot write for people who don't like poetry.

If poetry alters the way in which the reader views the world, then it has had its desired effect.

I believe that the power of literature is stronger than the power of tyranny.

If everybody became a poet the world would be much better. We would all read to each other.

The more one reads poetry, the less tolerant one becomes of any sort of verbosity, be that in political or philosophical discourse, be that in history, social studies or the art of fiction.

Poetry, I feel, is a tyrannical discipline. You've got to go so far so fast in such a small space; you've got to burn away all the peripherals.

Poetry is the lifeblood of rebellion, revolution, and the raising of consciousness.