We oppose the death penalty not just for what it does to those guilty of heinous crimes, but for what it does to all of us: It offers the tragic illusiion that we can defend life by taking life.

That was a hell of a thing.

Poetry is the experience of liberty. The poet risks himself, chances all on the poem's all with each verse he writes.

Heaven trims our lamps while we sleep.

Life is beautiful. Cherish every moment even if you're stressed or hurt or whatnot. There's always tomorrow and it always gets better

I will not be afraid because I understand ... And understanding is happiness.

Are your thoughts empowering or limiting?

I think the suicides in my first book came from the idea of growing up in Detroit. If you grow up in a city like that you feel everything is perishing, evanescent and going away very quickly.

When I first heard bands like Tortoise, it seemed to come off the back of that world, like let's make a record with three vibraphones and release it on a seven-inch with black-and-white artwork.

I like a text that reminds the reader its a text sometimes.

If I didn’t think, I’d be much happier.