My greatest influence was Phil Lynott musician and front man of Thin Lizzy. He also used to hang around with poets, and had several books of poetry published. He was an amazing lyricist.
To be honest i have not read much of the Greats. I have listened to some on You Tube, but i do like lyrics
I don't tend think of myself as a "poet" just someone who can throw some words together, that sometimes rhyme. I guess i tend to see my poems before i write them. Then the Prophetic writings in the Bible have also been a big influence also. The book of Psalms, the book of Isaiah. the wisdom chapters are rich in the diversity of all human emotion.
Then there's my Irish heritage born of Irish parents, and going to school there also contributes to who i am and the influences that have shaped my life.