I think Im a very good reader of poetry, but obviously, like everybody, I have a set of criteria for reading poems, and Im not shy about presenting them, so if people ask for my critical response to a poem, I tell them what works and why, and what doesnt work and why. – Diane Wakoski

I dont like political poetry, and I dont write it. If this question was pointing towards that, I think it is missing the point of the American tradition, which is always apolitical, even when the poetry comes out of politically active writers. – Diane Wakoski

I think thats what poetry does. It allows people to come together and identify with a common thing that is outside of themselves, but which they identify with from the interior. – Diane Wakoski