Bloody Christmas, here again, let us raise a loving cup, peace on earth, goodwill to men, and make them do the washing up.

The reason modern poetry is difficult is so that the poet's wife cannot understand it.

When a poem doesn't work, the first question to ask yourself is, 'Am I telling the truth?'

I always tell students that writing a poem and publishing it are two quite separate things, and you should write what you have to write, and if you're afraid it's going to upset someone, don't publish it.

I've never been more famous than I was, suddenly, in 1986.

I have a theory that if you've got the kind of parents who want to send you to boarding school, you're probably better off at boarding school.

My heart has made its mind up And I’m afraid it’s you. Whatever you’ve got lined up, My heart has made its mind up And if you can’t be signed up This year, next year will do. My heart has made its mind up And I’m afraid it’s you.