As an artist, I used to think that my responsibility was to do good work. But I had to learn from the 70s on that being a public figure presents another aspect of responsibility.
I wanted to see who this Yeats person was, and I said to my mother, ‘I want a book by this person.’ And she bought it for me, and a lot of it was over my head, but I had it.
Outside of society, if you’re looking that’s where you’ll find me.
Good press, bad press, whatever, only means a lot to me if it’s writ by somebody I respect, by somebody I like.
New York is the thing that seduced me. New York is the thing that formed me. New York is the thing that deformed me. New York is the thing that perverted me. New York is the thing that converted me. And New York is the thing that I love too.
Your soul was like a network of spittle.
The people have the power to redeem the work of fools. Upon the meek the graces shower, it’s decreed the people rule.
We believe we will raise the sky, we got to fly over the land, over the sea. Fate unwinds and if we die, souls arise. God, do not seize me please.
Christianity made us think there’s one heaven.
I gave you a wrist watch, baby, and you wouldn’t even give me the time of day.
People like beauty and purity. They pretend that’s what it’s all about.
You can’t make a mistake when you improvise.
Will you pretend you’re my boyfriend?
I walk alone, assaulted it seems, by tears from heaven.
Hey sister, you’re just moving too fast, you’re screwing up the quota.
You don’t want to OD on improvisation.
Words are just rules and regulations to me.
I’m a total failure at housewifery. I always have been, ’cause I daydream too much. If I start doing the dishes at one in the afternoon, I’ll still be there at six in the evening.
Often the simplest song is the hardest to write.
The hand above turns those leaves of loves, all in all a timeless view. Each dream of life flung from paradise everlasting, ever new.