I always defined myself in terms of my talkativeness, and being without a voice hits me in a number of ways.

I write about living, not dying.

Most of the time, I'm not scared. I get on with life, not because I'm a fatalist, but because that's the most congenial way of dealing with things. Indeed, most of the time, I'm not conscious of dealing with anything.

I have had a fascination with death, I think, that might be considered genetic for a long time. My father had the same affliction, I guess.

Death be not proud, though some have called thee Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so. For, those, whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow. Die not, poor death, nor yet canst thou kill me.

All interest in disease and death is only another expression of interest in life.

The poet does not fear death, not because he believes in the fantasy of heroes, but because death constantly visits his thoughts and is thus an image of a serene dialogue.