And some poets are far better read off the page because they're very bad speakers. I'm thinking of one in particular whom I won't name, a good poet, and he reads in such a dry, boring way, your eyes start drooping.

And the second question, can poetry be taught? I didn't think so.

I just didn't want to shoot other people.

When I was asked to be Writer in Residence at Edinburgh I thought, you can't teach poetry. This is ridiculous.

But I hang on to books. I love them. I even think they're very nice decor in a room - far better than paintings... That's not quite true!

I only keep books that I like very much. Otherwise I'd throw them out.

Anybody who writes doesn't like to be misunderstood.