People haven't got the interest in long long works these days. A lack of interest which I share.

Quote by Norman MacCaig

Topics: Norman MacCaig Quotes

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...

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....

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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 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 think of myself all the time.

I don't think of myself all the time.

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...

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.

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...

Anybody who writes doesn't like to be misunderstood.

Anybody who writes doesn't like to be misunderstood.

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...

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

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

In fact a lot of them I think are absolute baloney. Those Charles Olsens and...

In fact a lot of them I think are absolute baloney. Those Charles Olsens and...

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 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...

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...

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...