Poets deal in writing about feelings and trying to find the language and images for intense feelings.

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.

Poetry and prayer are very similar.

You have me like a drawing, erased, coloured in, untitled, signed by your tongue.

I have piles of poetry books in the bathroom, on the stairs, everywhere. The only way to write poetry is to read it.

I think poetry can help children deal with the other subjects on the curriculum by enabling them to see a subject in a new way.

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.