Don Paterson is an award-winning poet, editor and teacher, but for all his technical ability and the recognition that has been paid to his work Paterson is acutely aware of awe and sometimes envy when he looks at the work of other writers. Here he applies his wit and skills of technical analysis to discussing the five poems he wishes he had written.

Cut

What a thrill -

Of skin,

Little pilgrim,

Straight from the heart.

A celebration, this is.

Whose side are they on?

The thin

The stain on your

The balled

How you jump -