I used to have a great love for Dostoyevsky and Tolstoy, the big boys of the last century. Norman MacCaig bigboycentury Change image and share on social
And it's impossible for me to read Henry James. Norman MacCaig henryimpossiblejame Change image and share on social
But I hang on to books. I love them. I even think they're very nice decor in a room - far better than paintings... That's not quite true! Norman MacCaig bookdecorhang Change image and share on social
All those authors there, most of whom of course I've never met. That's the poetry side, that's the prose side, that's the fishing and miscellaneous behind me. You get an affection for books that you've enjoyed. Norman MacCaig affectionauthorbook share on social
I only keep books that I like very much. Otherwise I'd throw them out. Norman MacCaig bookthrow Change image and share on social
I used to fish the Border rivers, but nowadays you have to queue up for a shot and I can't stand that. Norman MacCaig borderfishnowadays Change image and share on social
And some poets are far better read off the page because they're very bad speakers. I'm thinking of one in particular whom I won't name, a good poet, and he reads in such a dry, boring way, your eyes start drooping. Norman MacCaig badboredroop share on social
I'm very gregarious, but I love being in the hills on my own. Norman MacCaig gregarioushilllove Change image and share on social
I never think about poetry except when I'm writing it. I mean my poetry. Norman MacCaig poetrywrite Change image and share on social
And the second question, can poetry be taught? I didn't think so. Norman MacCaig poetryquestionteach Change image and share on social