'Forgetfulness' by Billy Collins


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The name of the author is the first to go
followed obediently by the title, the plot,
the heartbreaking conclusion, the entire novel
which suddenly becomes one you have never read,
never even heard of,

as if, one by one, the memories you used to harbor
decided to retire to the southern hemisphere of the brain,
to a little fishing village where there are no phones.

Long ago you kissed the names of the nine Muses goodbye
and watched the quadratic equation pack its bag,
and even now as you memorize the order of the planets,

something else is slipping away, a state flower perhaps,
the address of an uncle, the capital of Paraguay.

Whatever it is you are struggling to remember,
it is not poised on the tip of your tongue,
not even lurking in some obscure corner of your spleen.

It has floated away down a dark mythological river
whose name begins with an L as far as you can recall,
well on your own way to oblivion where you will join those
who have even forgotten how to swim and how to ride a bicycle.

No wonder you rise in the middle of the night
to look up the date of a famous battle in a book on war.
No wonder the moon in the window seems to have drifted
out of a love poem that you used to know by heart.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Power of Forgetfulness: A Literary Criticism of Billy Collins' Poem

As humans, we tend to fear forgetfulness. We fear the loss of our memories, the fading away of our past experiences, and the possibility of losing our identities. Yet, in his poem "Forgetfulness," Billy Collins challenges this notion and explores the beauty and power of forgetfulness. Through his use of imagery, tone, and structure, Collins shows us that forgetfulness is not something to fear but rather something to celebrate.

The Beauty of Forgetfulness

Collins begins the poem by describing forgetfulness as a "noble thing" that allows us to "drop the weight of facts" and "let the surface tension of the present" guide us. Through this imagery, Collins suggests that forgetfulness can be liberating and can allow us to live in the present moment.

But how can we forget the past and still maintain a sense of self? Collins addresses this question by suggesting that forgetfulness is not a loss of identity but rather a way to reinvent ourselves. He writes, "It is not that he is less of himself but more. / That the poem of the act of the eyes closing / Is written in letters of re-creation."

Through this imagery, Collins suggests that forgetfulness allows us to constantly recreate ourselves and our experiences. Rather than feeling trapped by our past, forgetfulness allows us to constantly move forward and reinvent ourselves.

The Power of Forgetfulness

Collins also explores the power of forgetfulness through his use of tone and imagery. He writes, "The name of the author is the first to go / followed obediently by the title, the plot, / the heartbreaking conclusion, the entire novel / which suddenly becomes one you have never read, / never even heard of."

Through this imagery, Collins suggests that forgetfulness has the power to completely erase our past experiences and reshape our memories. This idea is reinforced by the tone of the poem, which is calm and almost meditative. The speaker of the poem is not mourning the loss of his memories but rather embracing the power of forgetfulness.

The Structure of the Poem

Finally, the structure of the poem itself reinforces the theme of forgetfulness. The poem is written in free verse, with no rhyming scheme or fixed meter. This lack of structure mirrors the idea of forgetfulness, which is often seen as chaotic and unstructured.

Additionally, the poem is divided into four stanzas of unequal length. This lack of symmetry reinforces the idea that forgetfulness is not a neat, organized process but rather a messy and unpredictable one.

Conclusion

In "Forgetfulness," Billy Collins challenges our preconceived notions about forgetfulness and shows us that it can be a beautiful and powerful thing. Through his use of imagery, tone, and structure, Collins suggests that forgetfulness allows us to reinvent ourselves and live in the present moment. Rather than fearing forgetfulness, we should embrace it and celebrate its power.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Forgetfulness: A Poem by Billy Collins

Billy Collins is a renowned American poet who has won numerous awards for his works. His poem Forgetfulness is a classic piece that has been widely read and analyzed by literary enthusiasts. The poem is a reflection on the nature of memory and the inevitability of forgetfulness. In this article, we will provide a detailed analysis and explanation of the poem.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a distinct theme. The first stanza sets the tone for the entire poem by describing the gradual process of forgetting. Collins uses vivid imagery to describe how memories slowly slip away from our minds. He writes, "The name of the author is the first to go followed obediently by the title, the plot, the heartbreaking conclusion, the entire novel which suddenly becomes one you have never read, never even heard of."

The use of the word "obediently" is particularly interesting as it suggests that forgetfulness is not a random occurrence but rather a deliberate act. The memories are not lost by accident but rather by design. This idea is reinforced in the next line where Collins writes, "It is as if, one by one, the memories you used to harbor decided to retire to the southern hemisphere of the brain, to a little fishing village where there are no phones."

The use of the metaphor of a fishing village is particularly poignant as it suggests that the memories are not lost forever but rather hidden away in a remote location. The idea that memories can be retrieved if one knows where to look is a recurring theme in the poem.

The second stanza of the poem shifts the focus to the physical effects of forgetfulness. Collins writes, "But wait. This is only the beginning. / Next, the dimming of the vowels. / And consonants you once heard loud and clear / now slipping away, leaving you with only / unheard-of words and phrases, / bits of a song you hummed or a nursery rhyme / you heard a child say."

The use of the word "dimming" is particularly effective as it suggests a gradual loss of clarity. The idea that even the sounds of words can be forgotten is a powerful one. The use of the phrase "bits of a song you hummed" is particularly poignant as it suggests that even the things we once knew by heart can be lost.

The final stanza of the poem shifts the focus to the emotional effects of forgetfulness. Collins writes, "A wonderful clarity is taking its place. / Long vistas of forgetting, rising to the level / of the daydream, may be replacing / all that we once took in with such intensity."

The use of the phrase "wonderful clarity" is particularly interesting as it suggests that forgetfulness can have positive effects. The idea that forgetting can lead to a sense of liberation is a recurring theme in the poem. The use of the phrase "long vistas of forgetting" is particularly effective as it suggests that forgetting can lead to a sense of expansiveness.

The final lines of the poem are particularly powerful. Collins writes, "But now, when I hear that allusive tone / in the voice of a stranger, / in a passing conversation, / or a sudden burst of laughter, / I am reminded of the way things once were, / and I am filled with a longing to be there again."

The use of the word "longing" is particularly poignant as it suggests a deep sense of loss. The idea that even the slightest reminder can bring back memories is a powerful one. The use of the phrase "the way things once were" is particularly effective as it suggests a sense of nostalgia.

In conclusion, Forgetfulness is a powerful poem that explores the nature of memory and forgetfulness. Collins uses vivid imagery and powerful metaphors to describe the gradual process of forgetting. The poem is a reminder that even the things we once knew by heart can be lost. However, the poem also suggests that forgetfulness can have positive effects and lead to a sense of liberation. The final lines of the poem are particularly powerful as they suggest a deep sense of loss and nostalgia. Overall, Forgetfulness is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today.

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