My first collection of poems was published by Bloodaxe Books, which was then a very new imprint.

I was always influenced by language.

If we understand the past, we are more likely to recognise what is happening around us.

Once one habit peels away the others follow it. You have to hold on, or the next thing you'll find yourself parading down the street in your nightdress. Habit is everything.

I hope that readers will tear through my books because they can't stop themselves - and then, maybe, read them again and find new things there.

i wish i was away in Ingo far across the briny sea sailing over deepest waters where neither care nore worry trouble me

The poets whom I knew then were all men and all seemed dauntingly sure of themselves - although I am sure that really they were as uncertain as I was.