I Try To Show What It Is

As An African-american, As A Woman I Think That I've Been Sensitized To The Way In Which History Privileges The White Male And The Way In Which Certain Aspects Of History, The Things That We Are Taught In School, The Things That Are Handed Down Never, Never Entered The Picture Though They Might Have Been Very Important.

Nothing Is Too Small. Nothing Is Too, Quote-unquote, Ordinary Or Insignificant. Those Are The Things That Make Up The Measure Of Our Days, And They're The Things That Sustain Us. And They're The Things That Certainly Can Become Worthy Of Poetry.

My Favorite Poets May Not Be Your Bread And Butter. I Have More Favorite Poems Than Favorite Poets.

Without Imagination We Can Go Nowhere. And Imagination Is Not Restricted To The Arts. Every Scientist I Have Met Who Has Been A Success Has Had To Imagine.

There Are Distinct Duties Of A Poet Laureate. I Plan A Reading Series At The Library Of Congress And Advise The Librarian. The Rest Is How I Want To Promote Poetry