I wanted to reimagine the role, in a way that was respectful of its traditional responsibilities but made them part of a wider pattern of poetry about national incidents, events, preoccupations; and to spend a great deal of time going to schools trying to demystify poetry. Andrew Motion dealdemystifyevent share on social
When you're being looked at very hard, it's very hard to look back. And that made me stop paying attention to the world in a way that allowed me then to write about it. Andrew Motion allowattentionback Change image and share on social
I deeply adored my mum. She was an extraordinary person, even for the prejudice I'm likely to have. She was beautiful, amusing, a tremendous elaborator of things into comic proportions and extravagant in her imagination. Andrew Motion adoreamusebeautiful share on social
Keats writes better about poems than anybody I've ever read. The things that he says about what he wants his own poems to be are the ideals that I share. Andrew Motion haveidealkeats Change image and share on social
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. Andrew Motion affordbarelybeautiful Change image and share on social
I shall try to write a poem that is about the moment but doesn't betray things that are true to me as a poet. Andrew Motion betraymomentpoem Change image and share on social
In a general way, I want to be a kind of flag-waver, bunting hanger-up, drum-beater, you name it, for poetry. Andrew Motion beaterbuntdrum Change image and share on social
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. Andrew Motion bombexplainfear Change image and share on social
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. Andrew Motion directioneuropeanevolve Change image and share on social
I'm also a great believer in the dream life; that while we're asleep, a deep subconscious connection is made about our profoundest fears, hopes, loves, losses, dreads and desires. Andrew Motion asleepbelieverconnection Change image and share on social
