I always say that I'll have a go and see whether the poem works and if it does, then fine.

I think the dangers are different now. Our abuse of the planet and our resources is an anxiety.

If I felt, in the event of a royal wedding, inspired to write about people coming together in marriage or civil partnership, I would just be grateful to have an idea for the poem. And if I didn't, I'd ignore it.

I am always pleased to be asked to write a poem.

Poets sing our human music for us.

Like the sand and the oyster, it's a creative irritant. In each poem, I'm trying to reveal a truth, so it can't have a fictional beginning.

Christmas is taken very seriously in this household. I believe in Father Christmas and there's no way I'd do anything to undermine that belief.