The long poem cannot be a digressive, expansive, boring exposition. It is really made of very sharp, Imagistic, quintessential poetic elements.

The residue of religion in my work appears as a modified transcendentalism, and the positivist scientific side of my thought appears as concreteness and realism. The effort to reconcile the two is at the core of all my poetry.

Canada is a country where the serious writers are hockey fans and readers of comic books. They don’t play chess.

Imagination should be integrated with life, not turned into a separate activity, art, that monopolizes one’s whole existence.

There is no original sin. It’s all been done before.

What is forgiven is usually well remembered.

Reason to rule, mercy to forgive: The first is law, the last prerogative.

Art is anything people do with distinction.

Canada is a country where the serious writers are hockey fans and readers of comic books. They don't play chess.

A good reputation is better than fame.