I encourage students to pursue an idea far enough so they can see what the cliches and stereotypes are. Only then do they begin to hit pay dirt.

You have to really dive deep back into yourself and get rid of so much modern analytical categorization. It's one of the great things poetry does.

It was less a literary thing than a linguistic, philosophical preoccupation... discovering how far you can go with language to create immediate, elementary experience.

I have taught students from the New York City area so long I have a special affinity and rapport with them. It surprises me sometimes that there are students from anywhere else.

Distance not only gives nostalgia, but perspective, and maybe objectivity.

A lot of my students are Asian-American, and it has been thrilling to watch them break through the stereotypes into something alive and surprising.

Maybe the example of Southern fiction writing has been so powerful that Southern poets have sort of keyed themselves to that.

I seem to keep returning to my father in poems because his personality was so extreme, so driven. He did everything to excess.

Fiction is about intimacy with characters, events, places.

Some people want to call me an Appalachian writer, even though I know some people use regional labels to belittle.

The young people have MTV and rock and roll. Why would they go to read poetry? Poetry belongs to the Stone Age. It awakens in us perceptions that go back to those times.

Like this cup, you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you wisdom unless you first empty your cup?

When attachment increases too much, dislike will arise.

I don’t remember his face or the place we ate. I only remember how he grabbed my hand and his voice when he spoke of his dad.

Now I just want it to end. I’ve always wanted the happy ending, but now I’ll just settle for the ending.

What we desire is not to possess a woman, but to be the only one to possess her.

There's always a melody running around in my mind and my brain; and I'm really thankful for it.

Ye immortal gods! where in the world are we?

A truly appreciative child will break, lose, spoil, or fondle to death any really successful gift within a matter of minutes.

To kill a mockingbird. If you haven't read it, I think you should because it is very interesting.

I have no ambition to govern men; it is a painful and thankless office.