“My parents were very humanistic, but where we lived was not the cultural center of the world. Hardly. So I came to New York for two reasons: to find my own kin and also to get a job. And that's what I came to New York for in '67.”

American poet and musician, 1970s–present A defining figure of punk and avant-garde art, she blends poetry and rock in her work, known for albums like *Horses* and performances that merge raw lyricism with visual spectacle. Her writing—both in verse and prose—often explores themes of love, rebellion, and the sacred in everyday life.