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…

Quote by Norman MacCaig

Topics: Norman MacCaig Quotes

I find it's impossible for me to read Proust.

I find it's impossible for me to read Proust.

When I was asked to be Writer in Residence at Edinburgh I thought, you can't...

When I was asked to be Writer in Residence at Edinburgh I thought, you can't...

When I was a teacher, teachers would come into my classroom and admire my desk...

When I was a teacher, teachers would come into my classroom and admire my desk...

I never think about poetry except when I'm writing it. I mean my poetry.

I never think about poetry except when I'm writing it. I mean my poetry.

It's like breathing in and out to me. It's like having a conversation with someone...

It's like breathing in and out to me. It's like having a conversation with someone...

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

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

Well, I love fishing. I wouldn't kill a fly myself but I've no hesitation in...

Well, I love fishing. I wouldn't kill a fly myself but I've no hesitation in...

There are some friends you don't meet for twenty years and when you meet them...

There are some friends you don't meet for twenty years and when you meet them...

And in a way, that's been a help to me, because I take great passions...

And in a way, that's been a help to me, because I take great passions...

I was very interested in American poetry for many years. Much less now.

I was very interested in American poetry for many years. Much less now.

But I hang on to books. I love them. I even think they're very nice...

But I hang on to books. I love them. I even think they're very nice...

Well, I'm a light traveller. I chuck things away.

Well, I'm a light traveller. I chuck things away.

If I wrote a play with four characters every single one of them would talk...

If I wrote a play with four characters every single one of them would talk...

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

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

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

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

I don't care whether a book is a first edition or not. I'm not a...

I don't care whether a book is a first edition or not. I'm not a...

However, I learned something. I thought that if the young person, the student, has poetry...

However, I learned something. I thought that if the young person, the student, has poetry...

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

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

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

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

Anybody who writes doesn't like to be misunderstood.

Anybody who writes doesn't like to be misunderstood.