The Poetry of Billy Collins Essay - 1656 Words

The Poetry of Billy Collins In 2001 a new poet laureate was crowned and a new voice; the voice of a poetic everyman was heard by many for the first time. That voice belonged to Billy Collins. Collins was born into a working-class Bronx couple, and grew up in a typical middle-class neighborhood where he went to church on Sundays and listened to jazz music in his free time. This middle-class background and sensibilities are reflected in his poetic style and themes, and in his desire to bring poetry back into the American main stream by making it more accessible to the average reader. Billy Collins was born March 22, 1941 in Queens, New York. He was born into a middle class family. His parents were of Irish descent, and had†¦show more content†¦They include Poker face (1977), Video Poems (1980), The Apple That Astonished Paris (1988), Questions About Angles (1991), The Art of Drowning (1995), Picnic, Lighting (1998), Sailing Alone Around the Room (2002), The After Life, and Nine Horses. In 1997 Billy Collins married Diane Olbright, who he had met while attending the University of California at Riverside. When they married she was the host of ABC’s â€Å"Wide World of Sports†, she is currently an architect. Many things have had a large influenced Collins’ poetry. Religious faith has a particularly large impact. Billy grew up in a highly religious Irish Catholic family, and was taught how to live a good Christian life. Collins, however, is not as deeply religious as his parents, but still continues to be Catholic for the sake of continuity, and respect toward his parents (Press). Many of Collins’ poems center around the ideas of religion; in fact, his book â€Å"The Afterlife† is dedicated solely to religious themes. Jazz has also influenced Billy Collins’ poetry. He grew up listening to jazz, and many of his poems are about his love for this music (Mazin). The works of other poets have also influenced Collins’ writing. Although he certainly has his own unique style of writing, the influence of Elizabethan metaphysical poetry is evident Collins particularly admires the works of George Herbert and John Donne (Billy Collins). George Herbert uses homely and every-day images in his poetry asShow MoreRelatedThe Poetry Of Billy Collins861 Words   |  4 Pages Billy Collins is a distinguished Professor of English at Lehman College, as well as a teacher at Stony Brook Southampton in New York. He was poet laureate of the United States from 2001 until 2003. He has published 15 books of poetry since 1977. The poetry of Billy Collins is almost always prose poetry. This most certainly is a factor in his popularity, as it is more accessible than more formal and/or esoteric forms of poetry. Unlike traditionally utilized forms of poetic speech, Collin’s useRead MorePoetry, By Billy Collins, The Writer1277 Words   |  6 PagesPoetry comes in many forms, rhythms, tones, and meanings whether metaphoric or realistic. One thing, however, which is a common trait of poetry, is that they all carry a message to the reader. In some poems the message appears very clear and understandable, while in others, the author may hide the message within metaphors and imagery. In the poem â€Å"Introduction to Poetry† by Billy Collins, the writer â€Å"enlightens† his reader with an important message that poetry is something to experience. He usesRead MoreBilly Collins Introduction To Poetry Analysis751 Words   |  4 Pagesthat poem a good one. Some may say that Billy Collins poem â €Å"Introduction to Poetry† is a fantastic poem, while some may not like it at all. So, let’s find out why some think it’s a fantastic poem. While Collins brings meaning to the poem â€Å"introduction to Poetry† through the use of form, tone, rhythm, and irony. All poems have a way of being written known as the form. The poem â€Å"Introduction to Poetry† by Billy Collins is written in a metaphorical way. Collins used many different metaphors in his poemRead MoreBilly Collins Introduction To Poetry Analysis715 Words   |  3 PagesWhile reading the poem â€Å"Introduction to Poetry,† Billy Collins sends a message to the readers that they should be patient and impartial when it comes to analyzing a poem in order to see the true meaning behind the without being over analytical. There is a revieting situation that takes place because Billy Collins is delivering his message to all readers about the way that one should be able to read a poem. This poems educates the reader on how to be able to read and plunge into a poem, through usingRead MoreEssay on Understanding Poetry: Billy Collins, Introduction to Poetry1279 Words   |  6 PagesUnderstanding Poetry: Billy Collins, Introduction to Poetry Billy Collins uses dark rooms, oceans, hives, color slides and mouse mazes to describe his poem â€Å"Introduction to Poetry†, but also a way to analyze poetry in general. Growing up, students are advised by teachers how to analyze poetry. The speaker of Introduction to Poetry, Billy Collins, attempts to guide the readers by teaching them a unique and appropriate way to analyze poetry. The use of personification and imagery, by the authorRead MoreBilly Collins : Master Of Dry Humor Essay1370 Words   |  6 Pages9 12 October 2016 Billy Collins: Master of Dry Humor Billy Collins has compiled twelve poetry compilations; made a six figure pay advance, just from changing publishers; served as poet laureate for two terms, which most only serve one term; served as New York’s poet laureate right after his two terms of the United States poet laureate; in total has sold over 200,000 poems since his debut book Pokerface in 1977; named â€Å"the most popular poet† by The New York Times. Billy Collins’ fame is almost incomparableRead MoreBilly Collins : An Early Age1745 Words   |  7 Pages232 3 May 2016 Billy Collins Billy Collins is among the most well known poets in the Untied States. His use of plain language, humor, his fascination with the ordinary, and his clear acknowledgment of the mundane are just some of the attributes that make his work instantly recognizable (Cunningham). Collins’ ability to write poetry was evident at an early age. He wrote his first poem at the age of 12 and went on to join the literary magazine of his high school (Cunningham). Collins has earned numerousRead MoreAnalysis Of The Poem Billy Collins 1333 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction to Poetry Billy Collins is known as one of the most popular, successful, and influential poets in American history. Collins is famously known for addressing his audience directly, mentally pulling them into the poem, and creating a temporary companionship with the reader. One of the prominent examples of this style of writing can be examined in his poem, Introduction to Poetry. In Billy Collins poem, Introduction to Poetry, he plays the role as a teacher, teaching the reader how toRead MoreIntroduction to Poetry Representation935 Words   |  4 Pages Poetry is not just words formed into a line and a stanza; each poem is an opportunity to â€Å"dance† with the poet to his or her significant song. â€Å"Introduction to Poetry† by Billy Collins is a reflection on how readers should read poetry. This poem is about how readers should take the time to understand and explore poetry. In addition, Billy Collins, also, states that readers should not torture poems and ignore the signific ance each stanza represents, but dissect, enjoy, and appreciate the journeyRead MorePoetry Analysis of Introduction to Poetry837 Words   |  4 PagesPoetry analysis of ‘Introduction to Poetry’ The Poem â€Å"Introduction to Poetry† is by Billy Collins, an English poet, and it is about how teachers often force students to over-analyze poetry and to try decipher every possible meaning portrayed throughout the poem rather than allowing the students to form their own interpretation of the poem based on their own experiences. Throughout the poem, a number of literary devices are used. For example: â€Å"or press an ear against its hive†. Using this metaphor