Topography is one of my chief themes in my poetry, about the country, the suburbs and the seaside. Then there comes love... and increasingly; the fear of death.

People's backyards are much more interesting than their front gardens, and houses that back on to railways are public benefactors.

History must not be written with bias, and both sides must be given, even if there is only one side.

I don't think I am any good. If I thought I was any good, I wouldn't be.

On out deathbeds we're not going to regret all the work we didn't do. We're going to regret all the sex we didn't have!

And now, dear Lord, I cannot wait Because I have a luncheon date.

One mark of good verse is surprise