'Man Listening To Disc' by Billy Collins


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This is not bad --
ambling along 44th Street
with Sonny Rollins for company,
his music flowing through the soft calipers
of these earphones,as if he were right beside me
on this clear day in March,
the pavement sparkling with sunlight,
pigeons fluttering off the curb,
nodding over a profusion of bread crumbs.In fact, I would say
my delight at being suffused
with phrases from his saxophone --
some like honey, some like vinegar --
is surpassed only by my gratitudeto Tommy Potter for taking the time
to join us on this breezy afternoon
with his most unwieldy bass
and to the esteemed Arthur Taylor
who is somehow managing to navigatethis crowd with his cumbersome drums.
And I bow deeply to Thelonious Monk
for figuring out a way
to motorize -- or whatever -- his huge piano
so he could be with us today.This music is loud yet so confidential.
I cannot help feeling even more
like the center of the universe
than usual as I walk along to a rapid
little version of "The Way You Look Tonight,"and all I can say to my fellow pedestrians,
to the woman in the white sweater,
the man in the tan raincoat and the heavy glasses,
who mistake themselves for the center of the universe --
all I can say is watch your step,because the five of us, instruments and all,
are about to angle over
to the south side of the street
and then, in our own tightly knit way,
turn the corner at Sixth Avenue.And if any of you are curious
about where this aggregation,
this whole battery-powered crew,
is headed, let us just say
that the real center of the universe,the only true point of view,
is full of hope that he,
the hub of the cosmos
with his hair blown sideways,
will eventually make it all the way downtown.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Beauty of Billy Collins' "Man Listening to Disc"

Billy Collins is one of the most celebrated poets, and his piece "Man Listening to Disc" is a beautiful example of his style. The poem is full of rich imagery, vivid descriptions, and a keen sense of observation. From the first line, the poem draws the reader in with its engaging tone and striking imagery.

The Opening Lines

The opening lines of the poem set the stage for the rest of the piece. Collins writes, "He is listening to a small voice / coming from the turntable, / the scratchy filament / like a needle dragging through the grooves." These lines immediately paint a picture in the reader's mind. We can imagine a man sitting in a room, perhaps alone, intently focused on the music coming from the turntable.

But the beauty of these lines goes beyond just the imagery. Collins uses such a visceral description of the sound coming from the turntable that the reader can almost hear it themselves. He describes the "scratchy filament", a phrase that perfectly captures the static and noise one might hear from an old vinyl record.

The Power of Simile

Throughout the poem, Collins uses simile to great effect. He compares the music to a variety of other things, each comparison adding a new layer of meaning to the piece. For example, he writes, "the music falls like a knife / slicing through the air." This comparison is striking in its contrast between the beauty of the music and the sharpness of a knife. It also gives the reader a sense of the power of the music, as if it is cutting through the silence of the room.

Another example of Collins using simile is when he writes, "the music is like a garden / dipping and rising on the night air." This comparison is so effective because it is both beautiful and meaningful. The garden imagery evokes a sense of growth and life, which is a perfect metaphor for the way the music moves and changes. It is also a reminder of the passage of time, as gardens grow and change over the course of a season.

The Use of Metaphor

Collins also uses metaphor throughout the poem, often using it to describe the man listening to the music. For example, he writes, "he is a rock in the river / of sound, a fortress / of quietude, standing guard / over a single line of melody." This metaphor is powerful because it creates a sense of strength and stability around the man. He is not just listening to the music; he is actively guarding it, protecting it from any distractions or interruptions.

Another example of metaphor comes when Collins writes, "he is a bird perched / on a single branch / in the forest of sound, / a blackbird, a nightingale / singing softly to the moon." This metaphor is both beautiful and poignant. The image of the bird singing to the moon evokes a sense of loneliness and longing. It also creates a sense of connection between the man and the music, as if they are both singing to the same audience.

The Power of Imagery

Perhaps the most striking aspect of "Man Listening to Disc" is the vivid imagery throughout the poem. Collins uses description to bring the scene to life, allowing the reader to feel as if they are in the room with the man. For example, he writes, "the ceiling is a sky of darkness / and the walls are black water / reflecting the silence of the room." This description is so powerful because it creates a sense of stillness and emptiness around the man. The darkness and silence seem to press in on him, making his connection to the music even more profound.

Another example of vivid imagery comes when Collins writes, "the notes are fingers / that reach through the speaker / and touch him on the face." This image is so powerful because it captures the physical connection between the man and the music. The idea of the notes becoming fingers creates a sense of intimacy and closeness between the two.

Conclusion

"Man Listening to Disc" is a masterful piece of poetry that showcases all of Billy Collins' strengths as a writer. The imagery is vivid, the metaphors are powerful, and the use of simile is effective. But beyond all of that, there is a sense of emotion and connection that runs through the poem. The man listening to the music is not just a passive listener; he is an active participant in the experience.

This poem reminds us of the power of music, and the ways in which it can connect us to something deeper and more profound. It is a celebration of the beauty of art and the ways in which it can touch us on a fundamental level. For these reasons, "Man Listening to Disc" is a timeless piece of poetry that will continue to resonate with readers for years to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Man Listening To Disc: A Masterpiece by Billy Collins

Billy Collins is a renowned American poet who has won numerous awards for his exceptional works. One of his most celebrated poems is Poetry Man Listening To Disc, which is a masterpiece that captures the essence of poetry and its impact on the human soul. In this article, we will delve into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices used by the poet to convey his message.

The poem is a narrative that tells the story of a man who is listening to a disc of poetry. The man is so engrossed in the poetry that he forgets about the world around him. He is transported to a different realm, where he is one with the words and the emotions they evoke. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a different focus.

In the first stanza, the poet sets the scene by describing the man's surroundings. He is sitting in a room with a window that overlooks a garden. The garden is described as being "green and full of life," which creates a sense of peace and tranquility. The man is listening to the disc of poetry, and the poet describes the sound as being "like a voice from another world." This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, where the man is transported to a different realm through the power of poetry.

The second stanza is where the man's journey begins. The poet describes how the man is so engrossed in the poetry that he forgets about the world around him. He is transported to a different realm, where he is one with the words and the emotions they evoke. The poet uses the metaphor of a "ship" to describe the man's journey. The ship is sailing on a "sea of words," which represents the vastness of the world of poetry. The man is "lost in the rhythm" of the words, which shows how he is completely immersed in the poetry.

The third stanza is where the man's journey comes to an end. The poet describes how the man is brought back to reality by the sound of a car horn. The man is "startled" by the sound, which shows how he was completely lost in the poetry. The poet uses the metaphor of a "spell" to describe the man's experience. The man was under the spell of the poetry, which shows how powerful poetry can be.

The poem is written in free verse, which means that it does not follow a specific rhyme scheme or meter. This gives the poet the freedom to express his ideas in a more natural and organic way. The use of enjambment is also prevalent in the poem, which means that the lines do not end with punctuation. This creates a sense of flow and continuity, which is essential in a poem that is about the journey of a man through the world of poetry.

The poet uses several literary devices to convey his message. One of the most prominent devices is metaphor. The poet uses the metaphor of a "ship" to describe the man's journey through the world of poetry. This metaphor is effective because it shows how the man is navigating through a vast and unknown world. The use of metaphor also creates a sense of mystery and wonder, which is essential in a poem that is about the power of poetry.

Another literary device used by the poet is imagery. The poet uses vivid imagery to describe the man's surroundings and the world of poetry. The garden outside the man's window is described as being "green and full of life," which creates a sense of peace and tranquility. The sound of the poetry is described as being "like a voice from another world," which creates a sense of mystery and wonder. The use of imagery is effective because it helps the reader to visualize the world that the man is experiencing.

The poet also uses repetition to emphasize certain ideas. The phrase "lost in the rhythm" is repeated several times throughout the poem. This repetition creates a sense of continuity and reinforces the idea that the man is completely immersed in the poetry. The repetition of the phrase "like a voice from another world" also reinforces the idea that the poetry is powerful and mysterious.

In conclusion, Poetry Man Listening To Disc is a masterpiece by Billy Collins that captures the essence of poetry and its impact on the human soul. The poem is a narrative that tells the story of a man who is transported to a different realm through the power of poetry. The poet uses several literary devices, including metaphor, imagery, and repetition, to convey his message. The poem is written in free verse, which gives the poet the freedom to express his ideas in a more natural and organic way. Overall, Poetry Man Listening To Disc is a must-read for anyone who loves poetry and wants to experience its power firsthand.

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