There is far too much literary criticism of the wrong kind. That is why I never could have survived as an academic.

Yes, I do often write poems from the mind, but I hope I don't ignore feelings and emotions.

I have always made my own rules, in poetry as in life - though I have tried of late to cooperate more with my family. I do, however, believe that without order or pattern poetry is useless.

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.

A poem might be defined as thinking about feelings - about human feelings and frailties.

I think a poet, like a painter, should be a craftsperson.

The sea is as near as we come to another world.