I don't like poetry that just slaps violent words on a canvas, as it were.

Each word bears its weight, so you have to read my poems quite slowly.

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.

I remain loyal to Bach, Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert in music and to Shakespeare and Jane Austen in literature.

I like rhyme because it is memorable, I like form because having to work to a pattern gives me original ideas.

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.