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Because, in fact, women, feminists, do read my poetry, and they read it often with the power of their political interpretation. I don't care; that's what poetry is supposed to do.

I think I'm a very good reader of poetry, but obviously, like everybody, I have a set of criteria for reading poems, and I'm not shy about presenting them, so if people ask for my critical response to a poem, I tell them what works and why, and what doesn't work and why.

People want poetry. They need poetry. They get it. They don't want fancy work.

For whatever reason, people, including very well-educated people or people otherwise interested in reading, do not read poetry.

Only those ignorant of what poetry means will ask the question: what is it good for?

They say poets write mostly for themselves; if anyone else likes it, well and good, if not, it doesn't matter; certainly, not to me.

I've been surprised to learn how many people love poetry. It's beautiful to see that people want poetry in their lives.

The reason one writes poems is so that your poem will be remembered.