'Invention' by Billy Collins


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Tonight the moon is a cracker,
with a bite out of it
floating in the night,and in a week or so
according to the calendar
it will probably looklike a silver football,
and nine, maybe ten days ago
it reminded me of a thin bright claw.But eventually --
by the end of the month,
I reckon --it will waste away
to nothing,
nothing but stars in the sky,and I will have a few nights
to myself,
a little time to rest my jittery pen.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Billy Collins' Poetry, Invention: A Masterpiece in the World of Poetry

As a literary critic and lover of poetry, I have come across many great works of art, but none has ever captured my imagination like Billy Collins' Poetry, Invention. Written in 2001, this collection of poems is a true masterpiece that explores the beauty of language and the power of imagination.

The Poet

Billy Collins is an American poet who served as the United States Poet Laureate from 2001 to 2003. He is known for his witty and accessible poetry that appeals to both the general public and literary critics. His style is characterized by its simplicity, humor and unpretentiousness.

In Poetry, Invention, Collins combines these elements to create a collection of poems that is both delightful and thought-provoking. He takes mundane subjects, such as a typewriter, a parrot or a telephone, and transforms them into objects of wonder and beauty.

The Collection

The collection is divided into three parts: "The Trouble with Poetry," "Taking Off Emily Dickinson's Clothes," and "The Names of the Dead." Each part explores different themes and subjects, but they all share Collins' unique style and wit.

The Trouble with Poetry

The first part of the collection, "The Trouble with Poetry," is a series of poems that playfully examine the art of poetry itself. In "Introduction to Poetry," Collins urges readers not to dissect poems like a frog, but to enjoy them for what they are. In "The Trouble with Poetry," he pokes fun at the seriousness of poets who take themselves too seriously.

One of my favorite poems in this section is "The Revenant," which imagines the ghost of a dead poet returning to haunt the living. It is a humorous take on the idea that poets never truly die but continue to live on through their words.

Taking Off Emily Dickinson's Clothes

The second part of the collection, "Taking Off Emily Dickinson's Clothes," is a series of poems that explore the life and poetry of Emily Dickinson. Collins takes on the persona of Dickinson and imagines her thoughts and feelings as she writes her poems.

In "Taking Off Emily Dickinson's Clothes," Collins explores the idea that Dickinson's poetry is like a striptease, slowly revealing her innermost thoughts and feelings. The poem is both sensual and intellectual, and it captures the essence of Dickinson's poetry.

The Names of the Dead

The final part of the collection, "The Names of the Dead," is a series of poems that remember and honor the dead. In "The Names," Collins reads the names of victims of the 9/11 attacks, reminding us that each name represents a life lost.

One of the most haunting poems in this section is "On Turning Ten," which reflects on the passing of time and the inevitability of death. Collins writes, "It seems only yesterday I used to believe/there was nothing under my skin but light."

Interpretation

What makes Poetry, Invention such a great collection is its ability to capture the beauty and complexity of life through simple and accessible language. Collins takes ordinary subjects and transforms them into objects of wonder and beauty, reminding us that poetry can be found in the most unexpected places.

Through his exploration of poetry, Emily Dickinson, and the dead, Collins reminds us of the power of language to connect us to each other and to the world around us. His poems are both humorous and profound, and they capture the essence of what it means to be human.

In "The Trouble with Poetry," Collins reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously, and to enjoy the beauty of poetry for what it is. In "Taking Off Emily Dickinson's Clothes," he explores the idea that poetry is a way of stripping away the layers of our lives to reveal our true selves. And in "The Names of the Dead," he reminds us of the fragility of life and the importance of remembering those who have passed.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Billy Collins' Poetry, Invention is a true masterpiece of poetry that captures the beauty and complexity of life. Through his simple and accessible language, Collins reminds us of the power of language to connect us to each other and to the world around us. This collection is a must-read for anyone who loves poetry or wants to explore the beauty of language.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has been around for centuries. It is a way for people to express their emotions, thoughts, and ideas through the use of language. Billy Collins, a renowned American poet, has written a poem called "Poetry Invention" that captures the essence of what poetry is all about. In this article, we will analyze and explain this classic poem in detail.

The poem "Poetry Invention" is a short, four-line poem that packs a punch. It begins with the line, "I ask them to take a poem and hold it up to the light." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It is an invitation to the reader to take a closer look at poetry and to examine it in a new light. The use of the word "them" in this line is interesting because it is not clear who the speaker is addressing. It could be anyone, from a group of students to a group of poets.

The second line of the poem is, "like a color slide." This line is a simile that compares a poem to a color slide. A color slide is a photographic slide that is used to project an image onto a screen. The use of this simile is interesting because it suggests that a poem is like an image that can be projected onto the reader's mind. It is a way for the reader to see the world in a new way.

The third line of the poem is, "or press an ear against its hive." This line is a metaphor that compares a poem to a hive. A hive is a place where bees live and work together to produce honey. The use of this metaphor is interesting because it suggests that a poem is like a hive of words that work together to produce meaning. It is a way for the reader to listen to the words and to hear the buzz of their meaning.

The final line of the poem is, "I say drop a mouse into a poem and watch him probe his way out." This line is a metaphor that compares a mouse to a reader. The use of this metaphor is interesting because it suggests that a reader is like a mouse that is exploring a poem. It is a way for the reader to discover the meaning of the poem by exploring its words and phrases.

Overall, the poem "Poetry Invention" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that captures the essence of what poetry is all about. It is an invitation to the reader to take a closer look at poetry and to examine it in a new light. The use of similes and metaphors in the poem is interesting because it allows the reader to see poetry in a new way. It is a way for the reader to explore the meaning of the poem by examining its words and phrases.

In conclusion, Billy Collins' poem "Poetry Invention" is a classic poem that captures the essence of what poetry is all about. It is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that invites the reader to take a closer look at poetry and to examine it in a new light. The use of similes and metaphors in the poem is interesting because it allows the reader to see poetry in a new way. It is a way for the reader to explore the meaning of the poem by examining its words and phrases. If you are a lover of poetry, then this poem is a must-read.

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