I would not say I chose to write long poems on a conscious level. The long poem has been a relative constant. John Barton chooseconsciousconstant Change image and share on social
Writing can sometimes be exploitative. I like to take a few steps of remove in order to respect the privacy of the subject. If readers make the link, they have engaged with the poem. John Barton engageexploitativelink Change image and share on social
The point of an experiment is not to arrive at a predetermined end point, to prove or disprove anything, but to deliver a poem that reveals much about the process taken. John Barton arrivedeliverdisprove Change image and share on social
Most victims of my autobiographical verse are either far too polite, remarkably understanding unaware that I have written poems about them. John Barton autobiographicalpoempolite Change image and share on social
I became intrigued with colour theory. The absurd pronouncements of the Colour Institute, a group that decides what colours are hot each year or season, amused me. John Barton absurdamusecolour Change image and share on social
No poem is easily grasped; so why should any reader expect fast results? John Barton easilyexpectfast Change image and share on social
The experiment of the poem is mostly intuitive. I write the first draft, pulling in the various elements that interest me, in the hope that their being combined will lead to some kind of insight. John Barton combinedraftelement Change image and share on social
Poets have to be sensitive to their audience, but it does not mean that they censor themselves. I realise my audience is diverse. Some will read with empathy and curiosity while others will take offense. John Barton audiencecensorcuriosity share on social
I consider a poem to be a kind of experiment where a number of elements are brought together under test conditions to see how they will interact to create meaning or relevance. John Barton bringconditioncreate Change image and share on social
I feel very connected to poets across the country. John Barton connectcountryfeel Change image and share on social
