Billy Collins, a former U.S. Poet Laureate, is widely regarded for his accessible yet profound poetry, often exploring the intricacies of everyday life. His work is known for its clarity, wit, and introspection, delving into themes of human experience, time, memory, and the nuances of existence. In this article, we will explore 12 of Billy Collins’ most celebrated poems about life, offering both poetry excerpts and analyses to better understand how his work illuminates the human condition.
1. “The Art of Drowning”
” the light of the room keeps swimming to the edge of my coat sleeve and back to the center of the table.”
In “The Art of Drowning,” Collins reflects on the inevitability of death and the daily rituals that shape our lives. The poem’s opening lines set a tone of ordinary contemplation, as the speaker muses on the mundane act of sitting at a table. This ordinary moment is contrasted with the theme of drowning, a metaphor for how life’s constant flow may feel overwhelming at times. Collins uses this contrast to emphasize the importance of remaining present in the small moments, even when faced with existential uncertainties.
Collins’ meditation on life and death is not one of despair, but rather one of acceptance. The juxtaposition of the art of drowning with the simple, almost playful description of light dancing on a coat sleeve suggests that life, though fleeting, is filled with beauty. Collins doesn’t shy away from life’s darker aspects, but he offers a way to embrace them with grace and appreciation.
2. “The Lanyard”
“I was just a kid, I wanted to give you something, but all I had was a cheap lanyard.”
In “The Lanyard,” Collins reflects on the complex, sometimes awkward relationships between parents and children, as well as the process of coming of age. The poem begins with a memory of the speaker’s younger self, crafting a lanyard for his mother as an act of love. However, as the poem progresses, it becomes apparent that the gesture, while genuine, is ultimately trivial in comparison to the depth of the mother’s sacrifice and care.
The lanyard symbolizes the tension between what the child can offer and what the parent has already given. The poem is a meditation on the disparity between what we can give others and what they have already given us, often without recognition. Collins uses humor and humility to convey this emotional complexity, providing a heartfelt reflection on the dynamics of family and love.
3. “Taking Off Emily Dickinson’s Clothes”
“But the poems of Emily Dickinson are the only poems that ever really touched me. Her clothes were almost the same.”
In this provocative poem, Collins explores the tension between the sacred and the sensual, using the figure of Emily Dickinson as a metaphor for the boundary between art and life. The speaker imagines taking off the clothes of Emily Dickinson, not as an act of disrespect, but as a way to strip down the poet’s work to its essence, revealing the vulnerability beneath her words.
The poem offers a playful yet respectful homage to Dickinson’s work, questioning the way art is often revered as distant or untouchable. Collins blends the sacred and the intimate in a way that underscores the human impulse to connect deeply with art, stripping away the trappings of formality to reach something more personal and real. The poem is about breaking down barriers—whether in art or life—to find the essence of what we truly value.
4. “The Change”
“You know how it is, that moment when something in you finally gives in, and you know, no matter what anyone says,
there will be no more going back.”
“The Change” is an exploration of those pivotal moments in life when an irreversible transformation occurs. Collins examines the subtle yet profound shifts that define us, moments when we realize that something fundamental about us has altered, often without our conscious intention.
This poem deals with the inevitability of change and the irreversible nature of certain life events. The “moment” referenced in the poem reflects the emotional threshold where we realize our past selves will never return. Collins’ writing captures this moment of resignation with a sharp sense of finality, but there’s also a quiet acceptance that follows. This is a poem about the inevitability of life’s turning points, where change becomes both the challenge and the opportunity.
5. “The Discus Thrower”
“The body must be poised, even in its fall, in the moment between the throw and the landing.”
In “The Discus Thrower,” Collins reflects on the power and beauty of human achievement, using the image of the discus thrower as a symbol of the physical and emotional effort required to achieve something meaningful in life. The poem is a meditation on the elegance found in action and the focus required to truly be present in the moment.
Collins uses the image of the athlete to discuss the fleeting nature of human effort. The act of throwing the discus is a powerful moment of concentration, and the poem suggests that this moment, though brief, is what gives meaning to our actions. It is a celebration of the tension between effort and surrender, a key theme in Collins’ work, where he often explores the balance between striving and accepting life as it is.
6. “On Turning Ten”
“The day I turned ten I was a horse, and then a man.”
In “On Turning Ten,” Collins captures the innocence and melancholy of childhood, particularly the realization that growing up involves both a loss of innocence and the introduction of more complex emotions. The poem begins with a celebration of childhood but quickly moves into the recognition that growing up is inevitable, and with it comes a shift in perspective.
The poem reflects on the universal experience of growing older and the simultaneous joy and sadness that accompany it. Collins uses the image of turning ten as a metaphor for the loss of innocence and the moment when the awareness of life’s complexities begins to set in. This is a poem about life’s transitions, both bittersweet and beautiful, and the realization that we must leave certain things behind as we grow.
7. “The Poem”
“The poem is an invitation, a kind of plea,
but if you do not come, I will go on,
no matter. The poem will go on.”
In “The Poem,” Collins explores the role of poetry as both an invitation and an expression of life’s complexities. He considers how poems serve as a means of communication, a request for understanding, but one that, if not reciprocated, will continue regardless. The poem becomes a metaphor for life itself—something that goes on, regardless of whether we acknowledge or participate in it.
This poem is an introspective exploration of the role of the poet and the unspoken connection between writer and reader. Collins reflects on the self-sufficiency of the poem—how it, like life, exists independent of recognition. The speaker’s acknowledgment of this independence is both freeing and humbling, emphasizing the resilience and continuity of life despite the challenges we face.
8. “Litany”
“You are the bread and the knife,
the crystal goblet and the wine.”
“Litany” is one of Collins’ most well-known poems, a playful and poignant exploration of the way we view the people we love. The poem uses a litany, or a repetitive series of phrases, to describe the speaker’s beloved in grandiose, metaphorical terms. It is both humorous and sincere in its depiction of love.
The repetition of metaphors like “the bread and the knife” symbolizes how integral the loved one is to the speaker’s life—each item representing a complementary force. Collins plays with language to show how love encompasses both the mundane and the divine. The poem is a meditation on the balance of opposites and the multifaceted nature of life and love.
9. “Introduction to Poetry”
“I ask them to take a poem
and hold it up to the light
like a color slide or press an ear against its hive.”
In “Introduction to Poetry,” Collins offers a playful but deep exploration of how poetry should be approached: with curiosity and an open mind. The poem reflects on the ways people often misunderstand poetry, seeking direct answers instead of allowing the poem to be experienced fully.
Collins critiques the modern tendency to overanalyze poetry, encouraging readers instead to enjoy the process of discovery. The imagery of holding a poem up to the light or pressing an ear to its hive invites readers to engage with poetry in a sensory, exploratory way. The poem emphasizes that life, much like poetry, should be experienced with patience and wonder.
10. “Another Reason Why I Don’t Keep a Gun in the House”
“I think about the gun’s presence
for a second or two, but then I forget it,
as I know I will forget it again,
and that, too, is the point.”
In this poem, Collins addresses the conflict between the desire for control and the acceptance of life’s uncertainties. He uses the metaphor of a gun as a symbol of danger and self-preservation, ultimately choosing to leave it unused and forgotten.
This poem tackles themes of power, vulnerability, and the complexity of safety. Collins illustrates how life is full of risks, but it is the ability to forget, to let go of control, that allows for peace of mind. The poem suggests that in many aspects of life, it is better to accept uncertainty rather than try to control every aspect.
11. “Questions About Angels”
“Are they always depicted with wings?
If so, how can they fit on the subway?”
“Questions About Angels” is a humorous exploration of divine and earthly concerns. Collins poses a series of innocent but probing questions about angels, showing how these celestial beings, so often presented as perfect and otherworldly, might actually struggle with the realities of earthly existence.
Collins’ humor in this poem serves to humanize the divine. By raising the absurd question of angels fitting on the subway, he challenges the conventional understanding of these spiritual beings, suggesting that the divine might be more relatable and grounded than we often believe. The poem reflects the way we wrestle with big questions in life, finding humor in our attempts to understand the ineffable.
12. “The Four Simple Things”
“I would tell you the four simple things
that the wise man needs,
but there are only three,
which I’ve forgotten.”
This final poem is a humorous meditation on the simplicity and complexity of life. The speaker begins by reflecting on the four things that a wise person needs, only to admit that he cannot remember the fourth. The poem is a reflection on the impermanence of wisdom and the elusiveness of certainty.
Collins uses humor to explore the tension between our quest for knowledge and the limitations of human memory. The poem is an acknowledgment of life’s inherent uncertainty, reminding us that even wisdom is fleeting. By embracing the unknown, Collins invites readers to let go of the need for answers and instead appreciate the journey of discovery.
Conclusion
Billy Collins’ poems about life are a testament to his ability to capture the nuances of the human experience. Through wit, humor, and keen observation, Collins explores themes of love, loss, change, and the small moments that shape our existence. His poetry offers a window into the complexities of life, urging readers to reflect on their own lives with both a sense of wonder and acceptance. Whether addressing the inevitability of death, the beauty of simple moments, or the complexity of human emotions, Collins’ work remains timeless in its ability to resonate with readers from all walks of life.
