Those who say we should dismantle the role of Poet Laureate altogether the trick they miss is that being called this thing with the weight of tradition behind it and with the association of the Royal family does allow you to have conversations and to open doors and wallets for the good of poetry in a way that nothing else would allow.
I think I've spent so much time playing characters that are so far away from me and learning how to technically build and how to technically put something on top of you.