"My earlier poems were sadder than my poems are today, perhaps because I wrote them in confusion or when I was unhappy. But I am not a melancholy person, quite the contrary, no one enjoys laughing more than I do"

Anne Stevenson's quote reflects her journey as a poet. She acknowledges that her earlier poems were sadder than her existing ones, likely due to the confusion and unhappiness she was feeling at the time. However, she also stresses that she is not a melancholy individual, and that she enjoys chuckling more than anything else. This quote speaks to the power of poetry, and how it can be utilized to reveal and process emotions. It also demonstrates how Stevenson has actually grown as a poet, and how her writing has progressed in time. Her quote is a reminder that even in difficult times, it is possible to discover pleasure and laughter.