I don't want my poems to be sentimental, though I do acknowledge that sentiment is probably rather under-reported in a lot of people's feelings a lot of the time.

Each sudden gust of light explains itself as flames, but neither they, nor even bombs redoubled on the hills tonight can quite include me in their fear.

Poems are a hotline to our hearts, and we forget this emotional power at our peril

But Wordsworth is the poet I admire above all others.

I am a vigilant monarchist. I want to see things evolve. The direction the monarchy seems to be moving in - towards a more mainland-European model - is one I would feel sympathetic about.

Honor the miraculousness of the ordinary.

I write between 5.30am and 9.00. That way, I hope I carry over something from my dream time.

I like eating out. I like buying beautiful paintings and being surrounded by beautiful things. I have to finance that life. I can barely afford a pension scheme because I don't make enough money.

I'm ensuring my place in heaven.

Like a lot of people, for a long time I thought that the road to hell is paved with bad sequels.

But in a lot of ways my poems are very conventional, and it's no big deal for me to write a poem in either free verse or strict form; modern poets can, and do, do both.

I love nine hundred and ninety nine facial expressions of Jemma Garner, none of them is sad look.

There is no law beyond Do what thou wilt.Love is the law, love under will.

If the blood humor is too strong and robust, calm it with balance and harmony.

People just assume that if you're famous, you're in Hollywood.

Leadership is unlocking people's potential to become better.

The true purpose of education is to cherish and unfold the seed of immortality already sown within us.

Half-way through any big project, everyone forgets what they're doing.

Technique plays a part - you have to know how to play.

Here is bread, which strengthens man's heart, and therefore is called the staff of Life.

We always try to interpret things in accordance with what we want and not as they are.