I am a patriot, but I must say that English poetry is the richest in the world.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
A great poet is the most precious jewel of a nation.
I look for poetry in English because it's the only language I read.
On a practical level, poetry isn't something anybody has really made a great living at. I might sell some books and, once in a while, someone might pay to hear me read.
A great many people seem to think writing poetry is worthwhile, even though it pays next to nothing and is not as widely read as it should be.
American poetry is this country's greatest patrimony. It takes a stranger to see some things clearly. This is one of them, and I am that stranger.
I am for poetry that is admired by peasant and aristocrat alike.
I'm very proud of the fact that I'm one of Britain's biggest selling poets. That gives me a huge amount of pleasure.
I definitely wish to distinguish American poetry from British or other English language poetry.
Money is everywhere but so is poetry. What we lack are the poets.
Americans have been tremendously fortunate in poetry, regarding both the quantity and quality of poetry produced. Unfortunately, it remains in schools and universities; it is not widely distributed.