by Aisling Ashbery

Created on: July 21, 2010

Named poet laureate of the United States in 2001, Billy Collins is probably one of the few American poets who can be said to make his living from poetry.  With philosophies that praise accessibility in poetry, it’s not hard to see why he is such a popular poet.  Collins believes that a poem should transport the reader to a new place.  If a reader can’t get interested in a poem the first time, then they aren’t going anywhere.  Here are a few of the best-loved poems of this popular American poet.

1. On Turning Ten

A favorite of many Collins fans, “On Turning Ten” is a poem that takes the common idea of writing a “looking back” poem and twists it slightly.  Instead of a speaker looking back on ages past from the mark of 50 and beyond, the speaker in this poem ponders the new heaviness and depth of life that he feels on his shoulders upon turning ten.  Poignant, beautiful, and utterly resonant, it’s not difficult to see why this is often listed as a favorite.

2. Introduction to Poetry

“Introduction to Poetry” is a favorite among Collins fans not only because of its vivid imagery and classic Collins humor, but also because it makes a point about what the poet finds important in poetry.  This poem talks about the importance of enjoying poetry instead of trying to “torture a confession out of it.” It pleads the case of poetry for pleasure, which is something that Collins himself certainly provides in the poem.

3.  Litany

“Litany” is an interesting Collins poem.  Jumping off from a beginning Jacques Crickillon quote – “You are the bread and the knife,/ The crystal goblet and the wine…” – it proceeds to poke gentle fun at a certain manner of metaphor in poetry by indicating everything that the “you” in the statement is not.  Despite the wry poetic humor, the ending of the poem returns to the original metaphor, building a meaning that is more than an isolated poetic point; the poem has an ending note that brings us back to the ripeness of human relationship, bringing the whole of the poem into a new light.

Billy Collins does not usually employ a notable amount of rhyme or meter.  He does not use odd line spacing or unique capitalization.  Perhaps this straightforward style of poetry, which can be delved into at different levels according to the will of the reader instead of the will of the poet, is what the American poetry reader has been missing.  Perhaps that is why he is so popular, and has so many well-loved poems.

Source:

www.poets.org

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