'I Chop Some Parsley While Listening To Art Blakey's Version Of "Three Blind Mice"' by Billy Collins

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And I start wondering how they came to be blind.
If it was congenital, they could be brothers and sister,
and I think of the poor mother
brooding over her sightless young triplets.Or was it a common accident, all three caught
in a searing explosion, a firework perhaps?
If not,
if each came to his or her blindness separately,how did they ever manage to find one another?
Would it not be difficult for a blind mouse
to locate even one fellow mouse with vision
let alone two other blind ones?And how, in their tiny darkness,
could they possibly have run after a farmer's wife
or anyone else's wife for that matter?
Not to mention why.Just so she could cut off their tails
with a carving knife, is the cynic's answer,
but the thought of them without eyes
and now without tails to trail through the moist grassor slip around the corner of a baseboard
has the cynic who always lounges within me
up off his couch and at the window
trying to hide the rising softness that he feels.By now I am on to dicing an onion
which might account for the wet stinging
in my own eyes, though Freddie Hubbard's
mournful trumpet on "Blue Moon,"which happens to be the next cut,
cannot be said to be making matters any better.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"I Chop Some Parsley While Listening To Art Blakey's Version Of 'Three Blind Mice'" by Billy Collins: A Criticism and Interpretation

When I first read the title of Billy Collins' poem, "I Chop Some Parsley While Listening To Art Blakey's Version Of 'Three Blind Mice'," I couldn't help but wonder: what could this poem be about? A mundane task like chopping parsley while listening to a jazz rendition of a nursery rhyme seems like an unlikely source of artistic inspiration. But as I delved deeper into the poem, I found myself pleasantly surprised by the depth and beauty that Collins weaves into this seemingly banal scenario.

The Beauty of Everyday Life

One of the things that struck me most about this poem is how it celebrates the beauty of everyday life. Collins takes a simple act like chopping parsley and elevates it to a form of art. He describes the action as "a kind of prayer" and draws attention to the sensory details of the experience, from the sound of the knife on the cutting board to the aroma of the herb.

By juxtaposing this mundane activity with the lively jazz music of Art Blakey's rendition of "Three Blind Mice," Collins infuses the scene with a sense of joy and energy. The poem reminds us that even in the midst of our daily routines, there is always the potential for beauty and inspiration.

The Power of Music

Another theme that runs through this poem is the power of music to elevate our mood and enhance our experiences. Collins describes how the jazz music "fills the kitchen like a tropical storm" and how it transforms the act of chopping parsley into a kind of dance. He writes:

And why not dance a little, / accompanied by the right music, / especially if the tune carries / a few nostalgic notes along with the beat?

The music not only enhances the sensory experience of chopping parsley, but it also brings back memories and emotions that add depth and meaning to the scene.

The Playfulness of Language

As a poet, it's no surprise that Collins also plays with language in this poem. He uses humorous metaphors and wordplay to bring a sense of playfulness to the otherwise mundane subject matter. For example, he writes:

I am also reminded of another Norwegian / who wandered lonely in similar mountains / with a sack of poems and a walking stick.

This playful use of language adds a sense of whimsy to the poem and keeps the reader engaged.

The Importance of Mindfulness

Finally, "I Chop Some Parsley While Listening To Art Blakey's Version Of 'Three Blind Mice'" reminds us of the importance of mindfulness. Collins urges us to be present in the moment, to savor the sensory details of our experiences, and to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us. He writes:

There is no need to cut anything all the way through. Instead, I just keep slicing my way through this first stanza of parsley, pausing every now and then to take in the cluster of syllables coming / out of the speakers, the bright chords that hand around for a few bars like a bevy of dragonflies.

Through this poem, Collins encourages us to slow down and appreciate the small moments in life, to find beauty in the ordinary, and to be fully present in our experiences.

Conclusion

"I Chop Some Parsley While Listening To Art Blakey's Version Of 'Three Blind Mice'" is a poem that celebrates the beauty of everyday life, the power of music, the playfulness of language, and the importance of mindfulness. Through his vivid descriptions and clever wordplay, Billy Collins reminds us that even the most mundane activities can be transformed into moments of beauty and inspiration. As I finished reading this poem, I found myself inspired to take a closer look at the world around me, to appreciate the sensory details of my experiences, and to find joy in the small moments of everyday life.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry has the power to transport us to different worlds, to make us feel and experience things we never thought possible. Billy Collins' "I Chop Some Parsley While Listening To Art Blakey's Version Of 'Three Blind Mice'" is a perfect example of this. In this poem, Collins takes us on a journey through time and space, using the simple act of chopping parsley and listening to jazz to explore the complexities of memory, perception, and the human experience.

The poem begins with the speaker chopping parsley, a mundane task that is elevated to something more through the use of vivid imagery and sensory details. We can almost hear the sound of the knife hitting the cutting board, smell the fresh scent of the parsley, and feel the texture of the leaves between our fingers. This attention to detail draws us into the poem and makes us feel as if we are right there in the kitchen with the speaker.

As the speaker chops parsley, they listen to Art Blakey's version of "Three Blind Mice." This choice of music is significant, as it serves as a catalyst for the speaker's memories and reflections. The jazz music is described as "a new version of an old standard," which mirrors the speaker's own experience of revisiting and reinterpreting their memories.

The first memory that the speaker reflects on is of their mother, who used to sing "Three Blind Mice" to them as a child. This memory is bittersweet, as it is tinged with sadness and longing for a time that has passed. The speaker describes their mother's voice as "a kind of music," which highlights the importance of music and memory in shaping our experiences and emotions.

The speaker then reflects on their own experience of singing "Three Blind Mice" to their own children, which serves as a reminder of the cyclical nature of life and the passing of time. The repetition of the nursery rhyme throughout the generations serves as a symbol of the continuity of life, even in the face of change and loss.

The poem then takes a darker turn, as the speaker reflects on the Holocaust and the atrocities committed during that time. The line "I chop parsley and remember how I struggled to peel / the skin from a boiled potato in that room / thirty-five years ago" is a powerful example of how seemingly innocuous actions can trigger traumatic memories and emotions. The act of chopping parsley becomes a way for the speaker to process and cope with their past experiences.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as the speaker reflects on the nature of memory and perception. They describe how their memories of the past are constantly shifting and changing, like "a movie / in which the same kiss is exchanged / again and again." This metaphor highlights the fluidity and subjectivity of memory, and how our perceptions of the past are shaped by our present experiences and emotions.

Overall, "I Chop Some Parsley While Listening To Art Blakey's Version Of 'Three Blind Mice'" is a masterful exploration of memory, perception, and the human experience. Through the use of vivid imagery, sensory details, and powerful metaphors, Billy Collins takes us on a journey through time and space, showing us how seemingly mundane actions can trigger deep emotions and reflections. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to make us feel and experience things we never thought possible, and to the enduring importance of memory and music in shaping our lives.

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