'Snow Day' by Billy Collins


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Today we woke up to a revolution of snow,
its white flag waving over everything,
the landscape vanished,
not a single mouse to punctuate the blankness,
and beyond these windows

the government buildings smothered,
schools and libraries buried, the post office lost
under the noiseless drift,
the paths of trains softly blocked,
the world fallen under this falling.

In a while I will put on some boots
and step out like someone walking in water,
and the dog will porpoise through the drifts,
and I will shake a laden branch,
sending a cold shower down on us both.

But for now I am a willing prisoner in this house,
a sympathizer with the anarchic cause of snow.
I will make a pot of tea
and listen to the plastic radio on the counter,
as glad as anyone to hear the news

that the Kiddie Corner School is closed,
the Ding-Dong School, closed,
the All Aboard Children's School, closed,
the Hi-Ho Nursery School, closed,
along with -- some will be delighted to hear --

the Toadstool School, the Little School,
Little Sparrows Nursery School,
Little Stars Pre-School, Peas-and-Carrots Day School,
the Tom Thumb Child Center, all closed,
and -- clap your hands -- the Peanuts Play School.

So this is where the children hide all day,
These are the nests where they letter and draw,
where they put on their bright miniature jackets,
all darting and climbing and sliding,
all but the few girls whispering by the fence.

And now I am listening hard
in the grandiose silence of the snow,
trying to hear what those three girls are plotting,
what riot is afoot,
which small queen is about to be brought down.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Snow Day by Billy Collins: A Literary Criticism

Have you ever had a snow day? The kind where the world seems to slow down and everything is covered in a magical blanket of white? Billy Collins captures that feeling in his poem "Snow Day." In this literary criticism, we'll dive deep into the themes, imagery, and structure of this classic poem.

Themes

At its core, "Snow Day" is a celebration of the joy and wonder that comes from unexpected freedom. Collins paints a picture of a world transformed by snow, where even the most mundane objects become imbued with a sense of magic. The speaker's voice is filled with a childlike wonder, as he revels in the sensation of snowflakes falling on his tongue and the sight of a dog "running in circles / pulled by a leash."

But the poem also has a darker undertone. The speaker is acutely aware that this moment of freedom is temporary, and that tomorrow will bring a return to routine and responsibility. He acknowledges that "tomorrow I will be handed a shovel / or a broom" and that the snow will soon turn to slush.

This tension between freedom and responsibility is part of what makes "Snow Day" so powerful. We all long for moments of escape from our daily lives, but we also know that those moments cannot last forever. Collins reminds us to cherish these moments when they come, and to find joy in the unexpected.

Imagery

Collins is a master of imagery, and "Snow Day" is no exception. From the very first line, he transports us to a world of snow and ice:

"Today we woke up to a revolution of snow,"

This opening line sets the stage for the entire poem. It's not just a light dusting of snow - it's a revolution. The world has been transformed overnight.

Throughout the poem, Collins uses vivid imagery to bring the snow to life. We can almost feel the cold air on our faces as he describes "the white sheet pulled over the eyes of the neighborhood" and the "icy pond" that appears in the speaker's backyard.

But it's not just the snow itself that comes to life in these lines. Collins also imbues everyday objects with a sense of wonder. We see the "four-foot icicles / as dangerous as swords" and the "mailbox leaning over / like a guard / ready for anything."

This attention to detail is what makes "Snow Day" such a rich and immersive reading experience. We can almost taste the snowflakes on our tongues as we read, and we feel a sense of childlike delight at the sight of a dog running through the snow.

Structure

"Snow Day" is structured in five stanzas, each with four lines. This simple structure reflects the straightforward joy of the poem itself. There are no complex metaphors or hidden meanings here - just a celebration of the beauty of winter.

But there is also a sense of progression in the structure of the poem. The first stanza sets the scene, introducing us to the snow that has transformed the world overnight. The second stanza is a celebration of the speaker's newfound freedom, as he revels in the unexpected day off from school or work.

The third stanza is where the poem takes a darker turn. The speaker acknowledges that this moment of freedom is temporary, and that soon he will have to return to his daily routine. The fourth stanza is a plea to hold onto the magic of the moment, to "let the sky be a blank page again / our snowball the pen."

The final stanza returns to the simple joy of the first, as the speaker looks out at the snow-covered world and sees only beauty. But there is a bittersweetness to this final stanza, as we know that the moment cannot last forever.

Conclusion

In "Snow Day," Billy Collins captures the joy and wonder of a snow day, while also acknowledging the fleeting nature of such moments. Through vivid imagery and a simple, straightforward structure, he invites us to revel in the unexpected and find beauty in the world around us.

As I sit here reading this poem on a warm summer day, I can't help but long for the crisp, cold air of winter and the simple pleasure of a snow day. Thank you, Billy Collins, for reminding us of the magic that can be found in even the most mundane moments.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Snow Day: A Celebration of Childhood Joy

As the first snowflakes fall from the sky, children around the world eagerly anticipate the announcement of a snow day. For many, it is a rare opportunity to escape the confines of the classroom and embrace the magic of winter. In his poem "Snow Day," Billy Collins captures the essence of this childhood joy and the wonder of a world transformed by snow.

The poem begins with a simple statement: "Today we woke up to a revolution of snow." The use of the word "revolution" immediately sets the tone for the poem, suggesting that something significant is happening. The snow is not just a weather event, but a transformative experience that will change the world as the children know it.

Collins goes on to describe the snow in vivid detail, painting a picture of a world blanketed in white. He notes the way the snow "whirled and swirled" and "danced around the trees." The imagery is playful and whimsical, evoking a sense of childlike wonder and excitement.

As the poem progresses, Collins shifts his focus to the children themselves. He describes them as "singing and laughing" as they play in the snow, their "faces brightening with surprise" at the unexpected gift of a snow day. The joy and exuberance of the children is infectious, and the reader can't help but feel a sense of delight at their playful antics.

But Collins doesn't stop there. He also touches on the more practical aspects of a snow day, such as the joy of being able to stay in bed a little longer and the thrill of being able to wear pajamas all day. These small details add to the overall sense of joy and freedom that comes with a snow day.

Perhaps the most poignant moment in the poem comes towards the end, when Collins describes the children building a snowman. He notes that the snowman is "growing until it looked / taller than any of us." This simple image captures the sense of possibility and imagination that comes with childhood. In the world of a child, anything is possible, even a snowman that towers over them.

Overall, "Snow Day" is a celebration of childhood joy and the magic of winter. Collins captures the essence of what it means to be a child on a snow day, from the excitement of waking up to a world transformed by snow to the joy of building a snowman with friends. The poem is a reminder that even in the midst of a cold and dreary winter, there is still magic to be found in the world around us.

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