Posted on by kimhaynesjohnson

Celebrating Living Poets: Billy Collins

If you’ve been following the celebration of living poets I’ve been adding to the circle each day, you just knew all along that this poet was coming to the party. Whenever I need to stop taking life so seriously but still keep the reality in perspective and blend in some humor, I reach for Billy Collins. He’s got me covered when it comes to a balm for the heart on weary days – which is pretty much every day when the pollen count is high and I have spring fever and work in a windowless cubicle. Oh, I have my Billy Collins favorites ~ Whale Day, Banana School, An Irish Spider.…all of them are as unique as his personality and just as engaging. He’s a former US Poet Laureate. In one of his writing videos somewhere in the past, I remember him saying, “Bring in a spider.” The spider is the metaphor for the unexpected zinger in a poem. I see them in his poems, all these spiders, and I strive for them in my own. It’s like that one secret ingredient that makes the poem come alive. You can read more about Billy Collins here on his website.

Worms Speak of a Narcissist

Surely, narcissism fails to capture

people on the street

and what you had been feeding me

just an expanse of white ink

pass through my special glasses, but not you.

Now, I am free of the collar

It’s the science of worms

near a breadcrumb on the curb

and, I swear, they began talking about you.

Lines for this Cento were taken from, in this order: Freud; Height; The Order of the Day; the Peasants’ Revolt; Special Glasses; The Revenant; The Introduction; Height; Carry

31 days of Living Poets in a tribute book stack – STANDING STRONG

26 Replies to “Celebrating Living Poets: Billy Collins”

  3. Kim,

    Speaking of streets, I met Billy Collins on the street in front of the hotel in Chicago where some of the sessions for NCTE were being held. He was waiting for a car as we awaited the conference bus. He was with a young woman we mistook as his assistant but who was his fiance! oops! He was so much older than her, a sign of a touch of narcissism like that worm. A metaphor? Maybe. Anyway, my youngest son loved Billy Collins and stole all my BC poetry books. I might need to purchase a new copy of the book you featured. You have selected fantastic lines. BTW, I thought you just read my blog when you wanted some humor. 😉

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  5. Glad Billy Collins came to the party! I saw him speak at a National Writing Project gathering a bunch of years ago. He is such a funny poet! That Cheerios poem on you tube is too funny. I’ve used On Turning Ten with middle school students.

    I have to tell you that today I used a poem by Amanda Gorman in my Eng 101 class as a writing prompt, inspired by you.

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  6. Kim, holy toledo, do I love your cento today. I am so inspired by the photo stack of books that I’m going to grab it and write my own cento. Thank you for the inspiration! I also adore the way you introduce Billy Collins’ poetry. Bring in a spider! Yes, love it and everything about your post. Fun! Fun! Fun!

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      1. I DID!!! She is is amazing, that friend of ours. I wish we could pop into her town for a weekend and take her out for a picnic river dinner or something. I need to text her today and let her know how much I’m thinking of her.

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      1. Yes – one of my favorite books of all time. I used it regularly with my 7th graders. I know some of the poems by heart. I’m so glad you like it!

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  12. I hadn’t seen this post. I wasn’t sure you’d go with Billy Collins. I thought maybe he was too “pop” for you. So glad he made an appearance. I love the Cento you created today, especially when “they began talking about you” or maybe me. My favorite of his poems might be “Workshop.” I love how it mocks itself and us and writers and workshops, all while being a fine piece of mocked writing. Now I want to go back and read his poems again. I thought I had a pretty good collection until I saw your pile of books!

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    1. Your comment “too pop for” me made me laugh a little! Billy Collins is one of my go-tos, and while I chuckle at his tongue-in-cheek humor, I usually do so just before something strikes me as really profound in his words. I find him light and funny, but also serious and true. And that is one of the things I love most about him! Thanks for reading!

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    1. So this is a Billy Collins poem I have never read until now, and thank you for sharing it on the link. That is one thing I really love about March and commenting is I learn so much from others who share their thoughts and knowledge! I love this classic Billy Collins reasoning:

      In fact, I start to wonder if what we have here
      is really two poems, or three, or four,
      or possibly none.

      It just gets no better than Billy, who just lets us into his throught stream like it took no effort or work to do but is brilliant.

      He’s definitely a favorite poet!!

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