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The Trouble with Poetry
The Trouble with Poetry: And Other Poems | Billy Collins
17 posts | 16 read | 9 to read
Playfulness, spare elegance, and wit epitomize the poetry of Billy Collins. With his distinct voice and accessible language, Americas two-term Poet Laureate has opened the door to poetry for countless people for whom it might otherwise remain closed. Like the present books title, Collinss poems are filled with mischief, humor, and irony, Poetry speaks to all people, it is said, but here I would like to address / only those in my own time zonebut also with quiet observation, intense wonder, and a reverence for the everyday: The birds are in their trees, / the toast is in the toaster, / and the poets are at their windows. / They are at their windows in every section of the tangerine of earththe Chinese poets looking up at the moon, / the American poets gazing out / at the pink and blue ribbons of sunrise. Through simple language, Collins shows that good poetry doesnt have to be obscure or incomprehensible, qualities that are perhaps the real trouble with most serious poetry: By now, it should go without saying / that what the oven is to the baker / and the berry-stained blouse to the drycleaner / so the window is to the poet. In this dazzling new collection, his first in three years, Collins explores boyhood, jazz, love, the passage of time, and, of course, writingthemes familiar to Collinss fans but made new here. Gorgeous, funny, and deeply empathetic, Billy Collinss poetry is a window through which we see our lives as if for the first time. From the Hardcover edition.
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GatheringBooks
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dabbe One of my favorite poems and poets. I read his poem “The Lanyard“ at my mother's funeral service. 💔 14mo
TheSpineView Love ❤️ 14mo
CSeydel This took my breath away! Beautiful!! 14mo
See All 7 Comments
GatheringBooks @dabbe i will look for it. Billy Collins is a poet who speaks to one‘s soul, whispers secrets, and leaves you feeling whole. Sending you warm hugs. (edited) 14mo
GatheringBooks @TheSpineView he is definitely a fave 14mo
GatheringBooks @CSeydel i am so glad it found you. 💕 14mo
dabbe @GatheringBooks Right back atcha! 🤗❣️🤗 14mo
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merelybookish
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You asked for a poem about a #laird and I give you one about a lanyard. 🤷
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/50975/the-lanyard
#poetrymatters @TheSpineView

TheSpineView That works too! 2y
Bklover I love this poem! 2y
merelybookish @Bklover Yes me too! Such honesty. 2y
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TheEllieMo
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EadieB Good quote! 3y
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Lcsmcat
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Find the entire poem here: https://poetry-fromthehart.blogspot.com/2011/06/monday-billy-collins.html It‘s worth clicking the link because, in typical Collins fashion, there‘s a turn at the end. #window #poetrymatters @TheSpineView

TheSpineView Cute poem! 🤩😍😊 3y
Chrissyreadit This style of poetry did not provoke a visceral reaction in me, rather I enjoyed the juxtaposition with tongue in cheek. Thanks for sharing! 3y
22 likes2 comments
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sherri
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Pickpick

Finished this one last night. I liked this collection quite a bit, especially for the poems that speak to other poets and writers.

Eggs 💗 BC 💗 3y
7 likes1 comment
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Lcsmcat
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If the print‘s too small you can find the poem here: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/50975/the-lanyard
One of my favorite Collins poems, perfect for #mother, and he read it in yesterday‘s livestream, which should still be available on Facebook. #poetrymatters @TheSpineView

TheSpineView 💜💜💜 4y
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Lcsmcat
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I missed Billy Collins‘ birthday earlier this week. But here‘s one of his calming poems. #poemsbeforepandemic

Lindy Lovely ❤️ 4y
28 likes2 comments
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Lcsmcat
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#poetrymatters Billy Collins is often who I pick when someone says #YourChoice @TheSpineView

TheSpineView 🤩🤩🤩 4y
KarmonR Love Billy Collins 4y
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Lcsmcat
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TheSpineView Cute! A poet in a bathrobe! 🤣 5y
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Lcsmcat
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#open #poetrymatters @TheSpineView Collins is perhaps my favorite poet.

TheSpineView I can see why. Lovely poem! 💜💜💜 5y
34 likes1 comment
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slategreyskies
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Pickpick

I read this today while sitting at a little table in our library‘s cafe/coffee shop. I like Billy Collins‘ poetry quite a bit. One of the things I enjoy about it is how he‘ll add comments written directly to the reader in some of his poems. I know he doesn‘t know that I‘m holding his book in my hands and reading what he‘s written, but it always feels a little bit like he does, and I like that. :) #poetry

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Kristy_K
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Pickpick

Another Billy Collins collection done. He‘s definitely my favorite poet.

#24in48 #readathon #poetry #MountTBR

Godmotherx5 Love the mug! 6y
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HippieChickHomeschool
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Pickpick

I don't think this was my favorite collection so far, but it does contain my favorite poem. That said, I will recommend any and all Billy Collins books always to anyone. I'm always delighted by him.

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HippieChickHomeschool
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We're packing up to escape Irma tomorrow, (Thankfully we have a nice place to go) And now I have some lovely poetry to see me through the stress!

Lcsmcat Stay safe! Billy Collins is the perfect stress relief companion. 7y
21 likes1 comment
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GAustin
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My shot at #spinepoetry for the #24in48 challenge. I never was much a poetry writer, but it was fun searching for meaning in titles. #readathon

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Bookbeez
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Pickpick

Another of my #nationalpoetrymonth reads. I love how he takes the tangeable at the beginning of his poems and delves into deeper meaning as you continue to read. Very accessible collection. Thoughtful, a little bit of comedy, and a little tongue in cheek. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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LisaJo
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#augustphototchallenge #poetry I had the pleasure of attending a conference where Billy Collins spoke. Prior to this I must say, I was not a huge lover of poetry. Maybe my favorite thing poem wise prior to this was Dead Poets Society. However, Billy Collins' brought poems home for me. His simply yet complicate words. His poems that start off light and fresh and end in tremendous contemplation. Thanks to him, I do "sound my barbaric yawlp."

MrBook Nice 😊👍🏻👏🏻 8y
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