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.

Quote by Rita Dove

Topics: Rita Dove Quotes

People write me from all over the country, asking me, and sometimes even telling me,...

People write me from all over the country, asking me, and sometimes even telling me,...

You have to imagine it possible before you can see something. You can have the...

You have to imagine it possible before you can see something. You can have the...

It's unfortunate that sometimes in schools, there's this need to have things quantified and graded.

It's unfortunate that sometimes in schools, there's this need to have things quantified and graded.

It's the combination of the intimate and the public that I find so exciting about...

It's the combination of the intimate and the public that I find so exciting about...

I write short stories, and I wrote a play.

I write short stories, and I wrote a play.

It really wasn't until I was in college when I began to write more and...

It really wasn't until I was in college when I began to write more and...

Libraries are where it all begins.

Libraries are where it all begins.

There are times in life when, instead of complaining, you do something about your complaints.

There are times in life when, instead of complaining, you do something about your complaints.

If we really want to be full and generous in spirit, we have no choice...

If we really want to be full and generous in spirit, we have no choice...

I prefer to explore the most intimate moments, the smaller, crystallized details we all hinge...

I prefer to explore the most intimate moments, the smaller, crystallized details we all hinge...

I loved to write when I was a child. I wrote, but I always thought...

I loved to write when I was a child. I wrote, but I always thought...

If only the sun-drenched celebrities are being noticed and worshiped, then our children are going...

If only the sun-drenched celebrities are being noticed and worshiped, then our children are going...

I think children have talent and insight, but it gets beaten out of them.

I think children have talent and insight, but it gets beaten out of them.

I prefer to explore the most intimate moments, the smaller, crystallized details we all hinge...

I prefer to explore the most intimate moments, the smaller, crystallized details we all hinge...

I believe people may have a predisposition for artistic creativity. It doesn't mean they're going...

I believe people may have a predisposition for artistic creativity. It doesn't mean they're going...

Being true to yourself really means being true to all the complexities of the human...

Being true to yourself really means being true to all the complexities of the human...

I keep the drafts of each poem in color-coded folders. I pick up the folders...

I keep the drafts of each poem in color-coded folders. I pick up the folders...

My father is a chemist, my mother was a homemaker. My parents instilled in us...

My father is a chemist, my mother was a homemaker. My parents instilled in us...

What writing does is to reveal.

What writing does is to reveal.

I carry a notebook with me everywhere. But that's only the first step.

I carry a notebook with me everywhere. But that's only the first step.