And now, dear Lord, I cannot wait Because I have a luncheon date.

Childhood is measured out by sounds and smells and sights, before the dark hour of reason grows.

Too many people in the modern world view poetry as a luxury, not a necessity like petrol. But to me it's the oil of life.

It's strange that those we miss the most Are those we take for granted.

Now if the harvest is over, And the world cold, Give me the bonus of laughter, As I lose hold.

History must not be written with bias, and both sides must be given, even if there is only one side.

People's backyards are much more interesting than their front gardens, and houses that back on to railways are public benefactors.

I ought to warn you that my verse is of no interest to people who can think.

And I think it was the outline of that church tower at Belaugh against the sky which gave me a passion for churches so that every church I've past since I've wanted to stop and look in.

Topography is one of my chief themes in my poetry, about the country, the suburbs and the seaside. Then there comes love... and increasingly; the fear of death.

Hymns are the poetry of the people.

Generosity is also marked by doing what one says one will do.

Love everybody, serve everybody.

I felt like I played in a very rough football game with no hitting above the waist.

Hosts of merchants encumber the cities, and the streets are cluttered with solicitors who swarm without limit or purpose.

Flattery is a counterfeit money which, but for vanity, would have no circulation.

The disco sound, you must see, is not art or anything so serious.

The Elephant Man would never have gotten up and gone, ‘Oh, God. Look at me hair today.’

It is hard for women not to be overly self critical, I am no exception!

The strong is not the one who is physically powerful, but indeed, the one who controls himself when angry.

I think I don't invest so much time in thinking about people's sexuality. I just take people as individuals.