Post by Billy Collins on May 21, 2012 20:08:43 GMT -5
Billy Collins has distinguished himself as one of the most successful and well known contemporary poets in America. Poet Laureate of the United States from 2001 to 2003, New York State Poet from 2004 to 2006, selected as the Literary Lion of the New York Public Library, and chosen several times for the Best American Poetry series, Billy Collins has been widely recognized for his work. Collins’ success comes from his ability to connect with the reader. Collins captures the everyday facts of life in his poems, giving him the unique ability to “reveal the unexpected within the ordinary.”
Born in New York City in 1941 to William and Katherine Collins, Billy Collins lived a quiet, humble childhood. Raised as an only child, Collins had a strong relationship with his parents and they both have influenced his poetry. Collins’ mother had a love for poetry and could recite poems at any occasion. She provided Collins with his love for words, both written and spoken. His father, on the other hand, had a love for humor and had jokes ready for any occasion. Humor is very visible in Collins’ poetry and even radiates from him. Collins, currently a professor at Lehman College in the Bronx, is as much a performer as he is a poet, often recognized for his charm and intellect in interviews and at poetry readings. Collins has made many recordings of his poetry, often hitting the bestseller list. He has also been on many radio talk shows.
Collins is so appealing to readers and listeners alike because he is able to connect with readers. Collins uses language that is accessible and relatable. He creates images to form a relationship with the reader and their everyday life. Readers can understand his poetry at first glance, and yet still enjoy them over and over. Collins’ poetry addresses the range of everyday dreams, objects and concerns. Complaints that “the neighbors’ dog will not stop barking” and of “a kind of measles of the spirit,/ a mumps of the psyche,/ a disfiguring chicken pox of the soul,” dreams of being able to “Leave it behind./ Take your head out of your hands/ and arise from the couch of melancholy,” and ideas of how “the Stone Age became the Gravel Age, named after the long driveways of the time” fill Collins’ poetry and provide the imagery necessary for the reader to connect with his words. Collins finds the common in his poetry and he extends it. He leaves readers with new images and new understandings of the life they have always lived.
Collins’ ability to connect with the reader makes him an unforgettable poet. He is read with ease and enjoyment, making sure to avoid the common approach to poetry of, “beating it with a hose to find out what it really means.” His poetry is read with clarity of its subject and its direction. It addresses a wide range of audiences and for this, it attracts a wide range of audiences. Collins connects with the readers so much so that he requests to have the reader “cut me out of my life and paste me in that book you always carry.” Collins is aware of the connections his poetry makes and from this, he continues to generate success. A poet for the everyday person, Collins will continue to connect with the common life and will continue to find success. So, without further ado, it is my pleasure to present Billy Collins.
word count: 579
Born in New York City in 1941 to William and Katherine Collins, Billy Collins lived a quiet, humble childhood. Raised as an only child, Collins had a strong relationship with his parents and they both have influenced his poetry. Collins’ mother had a love for poetry and could recite poems at any occasion. She provided Collins with his love for words, both written and spoken. His father, on the other hand, had a love for humor and had jokes ready for any occasion. Humor is very visible in Collins’ poetry and even radiates from him. Collins, currently a professor at Lehman College in the Bronx, is as much a performer as he is a poet, often recognized for his charm and intellect in interviews and at poetry readings. Collins has made many recordings of his poetry, often hitting the bestseller list. He has also been on many radio talk shows.
Collins is so appealing to readers and listeners alike because he is able to connect with readers. Collins uses language that is accessible and relatable. He creates images to form a relationship with the reader and their everyday life. Readers can understand his poetry at first glance, and yet still enjoy them over and over. Collins’ poetry addresses the range of everyday dreams, objects and concerns. Complaints that “the neighbors’ dog will not stop barking” and of “a kind of measles of the spirit,/ a mumps of the psyche,/ a disfiguring chicken pox of the soul,” dreams of being able to “Leave it behind./ Take your head out of your hands/ and arise from the couch of melancholy,” and ideas of how “the Stone Age became the Gravel Age, named after the long driveways of the time” fill Collins’ poetry and provide the imagery necessary for the reader to connect with his words. Collins finds the common in his poetry and he extends it. He leaves readers with new images and new understandings of the life they have always lived.
Collins’ ability to connect with the reader makes him an unforgettable poet. He is read with ease and enjoyment, making sure to avoid the common approach to poetry of, “beating it with a hose to find out what it really means.” His poetry is read with clarity of its subject and its direction. It addresses a wide range of audiences and for this, it attracts a wide range of audiences. Collins connects with the readers so much so that he requests to have the reader “cut me out of my life and paste me in that book you always carry.” Collins is aware of the connections his poetry makes and from this, he continues to generate success. A poet for the everyday person, Collins will continue to connect with the common life and will continue to find success. So, without further ado, it is my pleasure to present Billy Collins.
word count: 579