One definition of eternity is that we are not alone on this planet, that there are those who've gone before and those who will come, and that there is a community of spirits. Rita Dove communitydefinitioneternity Change image and share on social
I have a high guilt quotient. A poem can go through as many as 50 or 60 drafts. It can take from a day to two years-or longer. Rita Dove daydraftguilt Change image and share on social
It's unfortunate that sometimes in schools, there's this need to have things quantified and graded. Rita Dove gradequantifyschool Change image and share on social
What is ironic is that Allen Ginsberg's importance was in its twilight for so many years that it took his death to bring it to the front page. He electrified an entire world! Rita Dove allenbringdeath Change image and share on social
It really wasn't until I was in college when I began to write more and more, and I realized I was scheduling my entire life around my writing. Rita Dove begincollegeentire Change image and share on social
My favorite poets may not be your bread and butter. I have more favorite poems than favorite poets. Rita Dove breadbutterfavorite Change image and share on social
I think that you certainly don't have to be aged and travel the world to write a poem. Rita Dove agepoemtravel Change image and share on social
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. Rita Dove africanamericanaspect share on social
I carry a notebook with me everywhere. But that's only the first step. Rita Dove carrynotebookstep Change image and share on social
I've always been intrigued by the way history works, the way we decide what is mentioned. Rita Dove decidehavehistory Change image and share on social