Norman MacCaig
Norman MacCaig
Norman Alexander MacCaig OBEwas a Scottish poet and teacher. His poetry, in modern English, is known for its humour, simplicity of language and great popularity...
NationalityScottish
ProfessionPoet
Date of Birth14 November 1910
thinking people way
In fact a lot of them I think are absolute baloney. Those Charles Olsens and people like that. At first I was interested in seeing what they were up to, what they were doing, why they were doing it. They never moved me in the way that one is moved by true poetry.
passion years way
And in a way, that's been a help to me, because I take great passions for a particular poet - sometimes it lasts for many years, sometimes only for a while. This happens to everybody.
came century novels people television three time
The nineteenth century novels came from a time when there was no television and people had time to read novels in three volumes.
books might
There are books up there I haven't read for many years but I wouldn't put them out. I never know when I might want to read them again.
I find it's impossible for me to read Proust.
poetry produce
And if they haven't got poetry in them, there's nothing you can do that will produce it.
rivers borders fish-tanks
I used to fish the Border rivers, but nowadays you have to queue up for a shot and I can't stand that.
book
I only keep books that I like very much. Otherwise I'd throw them out.
writing mean thinking
I never think about poetry except when I'm writing it. I mean my poetry.
thinking
I don't think of myself all the time.
jobs persons particular
But you'd have a job to find many of my poems which would seem to be very influenced by a particular person.
nature love-is hills
I'm very gregarious, but I love being in the hills on my own.
eye thinking names
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.
true-love nice book
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!