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

One mark of good verse is surprise

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

Ludlow....is probably the loveliest town in England with its hill of Georgian houses ascending from the river Teme to the great tower of the cross-shaped church, rising behind a classic market building.

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

Too many people in the modern world view poetry as a luxury, not a necessity like petrol. But to me it's the oil of life.

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!