Adrian Mitchell quotes

Most people ignore most poetry because most poetry ignores most people. (Adrian Mitchell)

I would have walked on the waterBut I wasn't fully insured.And the BMA sent a writ my wayWith the very first leper I cured.

Adrian Mitchell

You put your bombers in, you put your conscience out,You take the human being and you twist it all aboutSo scrub my skin with womenChain my tongue with whiskyStuff my nose with garlicCoat my eyes with butterFill my ears with silverStick my legs in plasterTell me lies about Vietnam.

Adrian Mitchell

Lovers lie around in itBroken glass is found in itGrassI like that stuff.

Adrian Mitchell

When I am sad and weary When I think all hope has gone When I walk along High Holborn I think of you with nothing on.

Adrian Mitchell

I was run over by the truth one day. Ever since the accident I've walked this way.

Adrian Mitchell

May I borrow your wheelbarrow? - I didn't lay down my life in World War II so that you could borrow my wheelbarrow.

Adrian Mitchell

There have always been poets who performed. Blake sang his Songs of Innocence and Experience to parties of friends.

Adrian Mitchell

Written poetry is different. Best thing is to see it in performance first, then read it. Performance is more provocative.

Adrian Mitchell

I use rock and jazz and blues rhythms because I love that music. I hope my poetry has a relationship with good-time rock'n roll.

Adrian Mitchell

Here are some happy English soldiers.
They are going to make the Irish happy. (Adrian Mitchell)

I want to speak, to sing to total strangers. It's my way of talking to the world.

Adrian Mitchell

Stadium rock and commercial rock are the opposite of what poetry needs. An audience of around 200 is ideal for poetry.

Adrian Mitchell

I know a lie when I hear one.

Adrian Mitchell

I use the language I use to my friends. They wouldn't believe me if I used some high-flown literary language. I want them to believe me.

Adrian Mitchell

I don't like writing essays or theory.

Adrian Mitchell