The Trouble with Poetry: And Other Poems

"The Trouble With Poetry," the title poem of Collins' most recent book, is not, as Auden and Frost complained, that it doesn't make a difference, but that it is so dynamic, so important, so chock-full of truth that we wish we had written it ourselves. This strong collection of new poems will leave you with just that sentiment, the "I wish I'd said that" moment when you spot something on the page that is so apt, that so perfectly captures a small (or not-so-small) truth about life, humanity, the human condition, dogs, or love that you covet it. Collins comes across as a friend to the reader, a congenial companion, never lecturing, always sharing, knowing that the shared "moments" are welcome. No wonder Collins has broken tradition and actually sold books, lots of books, during his career which includes being appointed Poet Laureate of the United States. He was our Poet on September 11, 2001, and when asked what poetry could help people ease their anguish, he said we could open any book of poetry and find comfort, because poetry by definition embraces and celebrates life, warts and all. Well, his does. Bravo.

Billy Collins has outdone himself. The Trouble with Poetry (brilliantly titled, yes?) will make you laugh, cry, and think. I just read a review criticizing Collins for his lack of complexity. Billy's LANGUAGE is simple, yes, but his poetry is not. It is straighforward, concise, and yet it packs a punch. Upon reading the nine-line poem "Carry", I found my eyes welling up, such was the pure emotion captured in those three stanzas. It is hard to read Collins when one is alone- the desire to get up out of your armchair and share your newfound treasures with the world is overhwelming.

I ran into Billy Collins in my AP English class and after a few poems fell in love with his simple yet thought provoking poems. So when I found out that we were required to read through a book of poetry (of our choice) and do a project on the book I was overjoyed. I have always been a big fan of poetry, and this was right up my ally. So I went and bought this book and sat down and read each poem. I was enthralled by Billy Collin's ability to write wonderful, yet simple poetry. I never once needed a dictionary, nor did I need to search any obscure idea or allusion up on the web. I was forced to read through a few poems twice or three times to try and find all the emotions and thoughts that Mr. Collins was incorporating into each poem. But having to read a poem multiple times is not necissarily a bad thing; in my opinion it is a good thing that a poem can have the depth and enjoyability to require a second read. I wish I could choose a poem to be my favorite from this book, but I just can not. I feel as if it would be unjust to select one poem from this book and say it was my favorite. But I will say that the first section is the most heavily annotated in my book, because I fell head first into each poem and would try and absorb every feeling, emotion, and thought the poem inspired. As the book continues my poems are gradually less annotated, until I was finally just marking my favorite lines and maybe a small note at the bottom of the page. I do not mean to discourage a reader from the second half of this book though, each poem is still wonderfully written. I give this book 5 stars with ease. Whether you love poetry with every bit of your heart or are just starting to find a place in your heart for poetry you should pick this book up! And fall into Billy Collin's wonderful ability to captivate a reader and let them enjoy poetry without all the big words and complicated meanings that older poets flare their poems with.

I love this book, and so does my dad, who got it for Christmas! He likes Billy Collins for his humor and accessibility. So do I! Collins is deep, too, not just funny, and a poem can turn at the end to a moment of sobering stillness, when the mouth drops open in awe. I have all but one of his books and got to hear him read at Eureka College last year--some of the poems that appear in this book! He is as easy and personable in person as he is as the speaker of his poems! Favorites: "The Lanyard"--ah, those lanyards we make at camp! And then the debt of love and gratitude we owe our mothers, the astonishing jaw-dropping moment of this one! "Reaper"--the chilling encounter with a real human being who, inescapably, resembles the grim reaper. My students were delighted at realizing the allusion to "Appointment in Samarra," which we had read earlier in semester! "Constellations"--a look at the night sky, that leapt into my head last night, gazing up at a full moon in a clear midwestern sky, recognizing Orion, as the speaker of this poem does, and recalling the delightful imaginative twist at the end. I stood there wanting to make up my own constellations, too, but it was too cold...so I went inside. "The Trouble with Poetry"--of course! The title poem, with its joy and sorrow and devilish humor, suggesting that the trouble with poetry is that it encourages the writing of more poetry, etc.! The theft issue that students of poetry have to grapple with is presented humorously here, and also a way to "cite" theft so it isn't theft after all. Again, this one manages to end on both a humorous and sobering note, and one about the making of a real poet from a Ferlinghetti fan of a high school boy! This is a wonderful book, no trouble at all to read, straight through, for its marvelous progression, and then go back to, poem by poem, for joy.