When I talk of hearing a poet's voice speaking, I always think of it as in the presence of the man.

And it's impossible for me to read Henry James.

I'm very gregarious, but I love being in the hills on my own.

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

When I go fishing I like to know that there's nobody within five miles of me.

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.

I just didn't want to shoot other people.