"In a sense, I hope I don't teach you how to write but how to teach yourself to write." Chapter 1, pg. 3.

"You owe reality nothing and the truth about your feelings everything." Chapter 1, pg. 6.

"Since the majority of your reading has been newspapers, you are used to seeing language function this way. When you write a poem these relations must reverse themselves. That is, the relation of the words to the subject must weaken and the relation of the words to the writer (you) must take on strength." Chapter 2, pg. 11.

"It is narcissistic, vain, egotistical, unrealistic, selfish and hateful to assume emotional ownership of a town or a word. It is also essential." Chapter 2, pg. 14.

"Your triggering subjects are those that ignite your need for words." Chapter 2, pg. 15.

"It is important that that a poet not question his or her assumptions, at least not in the middle of...