I was on a television programme, and someone asked me what hobbies I had. I joked, “I collect money.” But afterwards somebody sent me some old banknotes. I think that money is one of the roots of evil, but when you look at banknotes, they do say things about the country Some notes, such as ours, have the head of state on them In other places, such as Ireland, it’s poets and writers. Some of the old Austrian notes were designed by the great artists of the day I don’t know how my collection compares with other people’s I don’t know any other collectors. I certainly don’t know any other Rastafarians who do it.Can a poem save the world?Fiona Sharp, HenfieldIf a poem could save the world, I’m telling you, I would’ve written it. But poems can influence individuals, and some of those individuals will go on to hold positions of power.

Not so long ago, I was talking to the South African Minister for Education, Kader Asmal When he was in exile, he lived in Dublin. He says that one day someone invited him to one of my poetry readings, and that some of the things I was saying – especially about Shelley – have really stuck with him That has affected his political decisions. When I talk about Shelley, I talk about the political climate he lived in. When kids see him as the rapper of his day, they get more interested.You seem to love being on television programmes.

I can understand Blue Peter, but why The Bill and EastEnders?Tina Koch, NottinghamOh, gosh I knew that would come back to haunt me. I had this idea that I would play this character that would pop up in lots of soaps It was a mad, ranting, bible-clutching poet. I would pop up in EastEnders, The Bill, Brookside and The Archers But it didn’t get any further than the first two I like doing little things like that. I wanted there to be a question on a quiz programme one day about it.You’ve been called a ranter poet, a dub poet and a rap poet, among other things. How would you define yourself?Adam Quayle, LoughboroughA poet (who cares). I was known as a rap poet before the word “rap” as we know it came into being.