When I was asked to be Writer in Residence at Edinburgh I thought, you cant teach poetry. This is ridiculous. – Norman MacCaig

And the second question, can poetry be taught? I didnt think so. – Norman MacCaig

All those authors there, most of whom of course Ive never met. Thats the poetry side, thats the prose side, thats the fishing and miscellaneous behind me. You get an affection for books that youve enjoyed. – Norman MacCaig