However, I learned something. I thought that if the young person, the student, has poetry in him or her, to offer them help is like offering a propeller to a bird.

Quote by Norman MacCaig

Topics: Norman MacCaig Quotes

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

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

But you'd have a job to find many of my poems which would seem to...

But you'd have a job to find many of my poems which would seem to...

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...

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...

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...

And if they haven't got poetry in them, there's nothing you can do that will...

And if they haven't got poetry in them, there's nothing you can do that will...

I don't think of myself all the time.

I don't think of myself all the time.

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.

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 used to fish the Border rivers, but nowadays you have to queue up for...

I used to fish the Border rivers, but nowadays you have to queue up for...

I said I have no powers of invention. Well, I also have no powers of...

I said I have no powers of invention. Well, I also have no powers of...

All those authors there, most of whom of course I've never met. That's the poetry...

All those authors there, most of whom of course I've never met. That's the poetry...

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.

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...

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...

And some poets are far better read off the page because they're very bad speakers....

And some poets are far better read off the page because they're very bad speakers....

Anybody who writes doesn't like to be misunderstood.

Anybody who writes doesn't like to be misunderstood.

All I write about is what's happened to me and to people I know, and...

All I write about is what's happened to me and to people I know, and...

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

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

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

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