Picnic, Lightning

Billy Collins fulfills Wordsworth's image of "spots of time" captured and later reflected upon. Though Collins's messages and meanings are subtler than Wordsworth's, Collins connects with feelings and moments common to many of us. His inspiration from daily life, from which he draws Keillor-esque observations, quenched my fears that as a writer, I must draw from exotic experiences uncommon to my readers. A peaceful read at Saturday breakfast.

How does one "review" something like poetry ... the most subjective of all the arts? By giving a subjective opinion, and here is mine: I've been a fan of Collins ever since I read his brilliantly metaphoric poem "Schoolsville." With every publication, I've enjoyed his work more and more. Collins is now my favorite poet, and PICNIC, LIGHNING is my favorite collection of poetry to date. I never tire of reading his rich and clever words. I personally like contemporary "conversational" style poetry, especially when it is infused with startling metaphors, subtle assonance, and rhythmic phrasing, as Collins' work is. I particularly appreciate his many references to writing and words, as in "Marginalia," and his poems that play tricks with time and space, such as "Looking West." But the piece de resistance in this volume is "Taking Off Emily Dickinson's Clothes" ... the title enticing, the words enthralling. I'm so glad I ordered a hardback copy of this book while it was available.

I had the privilege of hearing Billy Collins read this summer and it confirmed for me that he is a phenomenal poet with the gift of seeing the ordinary moment as a microcosm of life and the world. And he does it with great humor. If you don't normally read poetry or are looking for an introduction to the best of contemporary poetry, this is the book to read.

How does he do it? Billy Collins takes everyday experiences and makes them his own, and then he gives them to us in perfect form and tone. An amazing book of verse. Collins is truly one of the best American poets.

Billy Collin's latest collection, "Picnic, Lightning" is a smart, funny, moving glimpse into everything from a Victoria's Secret catalog ("Victoria's Secret") to an encyclopedia ("What I Learned Today"), personal relationships ("Paradelle for Susan," which introduced me to a whole new poetic form) to the joy of jazz ("I Chop Parsley...", "Jazz and Nature"). Casual in tone, Collins' poems don't make the reader struggle with poetic diction or unfamiliar vocabulary. Like quiet conversation in a coffee house, they offer a friendly intimacy in their simplicity of subject, and yet challenge the reader with the unexpected leaps Collins makes in his imagery and ideas. "I Chop Parsley..." for example, starts out as a narrative about preparing a meal, becomes a meditation on jazz and a nursery rhyme, and all the while is an examination of how we try to hide our own emotional vulnerability even from ourselves. This poem (one of my favorites in the book) is a wonderful illustration of how willing Collins is to usher his readers into his interior world, observed with a wry self-knowledge and a refreshing gentleness. This is a collection written for readers in the late 20th century who value honesty, humor, razor-sharp observation, and hard-earned wisdom. I couldn't recommend it more highly.