Apr 4, 2009
A practical point about poetry and a funny/moving poem to prove it.
Billy Collins:
If you want to write about a topic that’s rather large, you choose an image as a point of entry
(via Steve McCoy)
* * *
(loosely) Related:
• The difference between reports and stories
• The inexplicability of ideas
• The thanklessness of being inaugural poet
* * * * *
That is a great point about large topic poetry. And it’s a great poem.
I LOVE Billy Collins. My favorite, so far, is “The Country”
I’ve never thought about the fact that when my kids are giving me gifts they are trying to say, “Thank you” for life. Hmm.
billy collins. one of my all time favorites.
That’s great! And made me cry. Thanks, Abraham.
thanks for this! loved it.
Great clip. Alas, I never made a lanyard (how I could have missed such a pivotal part of my childhood, I’ve no idea).
What a find Abraham. We first heard this on the radio years ago and were laughing out loud as we drove. But to here his insight about finding an entry point to talk about larger things was just as valuable. Thanks for posting it.
Thank you for the introduction to him. I can’t wait to find more.
I heard Collins read during grad school: during the reading, I (like the rest of the audience) was laughing hysterically and embarrassingly loud. It was very strange, because you’re not supposed to laugh at poetry readings, right? :)