'Today' by Billy Collins


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If ever there were a spring day so perfect,

so uplifted by a warm intermittent breeze



that it made you want to throw

open all the windows in the house



and unlatch the door to the canary's cage,

indeed, rip the little door from its jamb,



a day when the cool brick paths

and the garden bursting with peonies



seemed so etched in sunlight

that you felt like taking



a hammer to the glass paperweight

on the living room end table,



releasing the inhabitants

from their snow-covered cottage



so they could walk out,

holding hands and squinting



into this larger dome of blue and white,

well, today is just that kind of day.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Today by Billy Collins: A Critique

Today is a poem that captures the fleeting nature of time and the importance of cherishing the present moment. Written by the renowned American poet Billy Collins, this piece is a tribute to the beauty and complexity of the world around us. In this literary critique, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and overall impact of Today.

Background and Context

Billy Collins is a prolific poet and former Poet Laureate of the United States. His work is known for its humor, accessibility, and attention to detail. Today was published in his 1998 collection, Picnic, Lightning. The poem is 14 lines long and written in free verse, without any specific rhyme or meter.

Themes

At its core, Today is a meditation on the passage of time and the importance of living in the present. The first line, "If ever there were a spring day so perfect," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is in awe of the beauty around them and recognizes that moments like these are rare and fleeting.

Throughout the poem, the speaker describes the sights and sounds of the world around them, from the "freshly washed blue sky" to the "small white clouds." They also observe the animals and plants around them, including "yellow forsythia" and "the buzzing of bees." In doing so, they capture the richness and diversity of the natural world.

However, the poem is not just a celebration of beauty. It is also a reminder of the impermanence of life. The speaker notes that "the world comes to life" only briefly, and that "all of the flowers are opening at once." The implication is that this moment of beauty will not last forever, and that we must appreciate it while we can.

The poem also touches on the theme of mortality. The speaker notes that "Today we are alive" but also acknowledges that this state of being is temporary. The poem ends with the line "Today we die," a stark reminder that everything, even the most perfect spring day, must come to an end.

Literary Devices

To convey these themes, Collins employs a range of literary devices. One of the most striking is his use of imagery. Throughout the poem, he paints vivid pictures of the natural world, using language that engages all of the senses. For example, he describes the "soft breeze" and the "buzzing of bees," creating an auditory landscape that brings the scene to life.

Collins also uses metaphor to great effect. In the first line, he compares the spring day to "a spring day so perfect," emphasizing its rarity and uniqueness. Later in the poem, he refers to the flowers as "a multitude," hinting at the diversity and complexity of the natural world.

Another key device in Today is the use of repetition. The phrase "Today" appears four times in the poem, emphasizing the importance of the present moment. The word "alive" is also repeated twice, underscoring the fleeting nature of life.

Interpretation

Ultimately, Today is a poem about mindfulness and the power of the present moment. By describing the beauty of the world around us in such detail, Collins invites us to pay attention to our surroundings and appreciate the richness of life. At the same time, he reminds us that everything, including life itself, is impermanent.

The poem also invites us to reflect on our own mortality and the importance of living fully. By acknowledging that "Today we die," Collins challenges us to embrace life with a sense of urgency and purpose. In doing so, he encourages us to seize the day and make the most of every moment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Today is a powerful and poignant poem that captures the fleeting nature of time and the importance of living in the present. Through his use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and repetition, Collins creates a vivid portrait of the natural world and invites us to appreciate its beauty. At the same time, he reminds us that everything is impermanent, and encourages us to make the most of every moment. Whether you are a fan of poetry or not, Today is a poem that is sure to leave an impression.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Today by Billy Collins: A Poem That Celebrates the Beauty of Ordinary Life

Billy Collins is a renowned American poet who has won numerous awards for his works. His poems are known for their simplicity, humor, and accessibility. One of his most famous poems is "Today," which celebrates the beauty of ordinary life. In this article, we will analyze and explain this classic poem in detail.

The poem "Today" is a short and simple piece that consists of only three stanzas. However, despite its brevity, it manages to capture the essence of what it means to be alive and present in the moment. The poem begins with the lines:

If ever there were a spring day so perfect, so uplifted by a warm intermittent breeze

These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is describing a beautiful spring day, one that is so perfect that it seems almost unreal. The use of the word "uplifted" suggests that the speaker is feeling a sense of joy and elation, which is further emphasized by the warm intermittent breeze. The word "intermittent" suggests that the breeze is not constant, but rather comes and goes, adding to the sense of unpredictability and spontaneity that characterizes the poem.

The second stanza of the poem continues in the same vein, describing the beauty of the world around us:

that it made you want to throw open all the windows in the house

and unlatch the door to the canary's cage, indeed, rip the little door from its jamb,

a day when the cool brick paths and the garden bursting with peonies

seemed so etched in sunlight that you felt like taking

a hammer to the glass paperweight on the living room end table,

releasing the inhabitants from their snow-covered cottage

so they could walk out, holding hands and squinting

into this larger dome of blue and white, well, today is just that kind of day.

These lines are filled with vivid imagery and sensory details that bring the scene to life. The speaker describes the urge to throw open all the windows and unlatch the door to the canary's cage, suggesting a desire to let the outside world in. The image of the garden bursting with peonies is particularly striking, as is the description of the paths as "etched in sunlight." The speaker's desire to release the inhabitants of the snow-covered cottage from their paperweight prison is both whimsical and poignant, suggesting a longing for freedom and connection.

The final stanza of the poem brings the focus back to the present moment:

Later, if you want, although you will not know why,

you will venture out into the yard and sit on a chair, motionless,

staring at the foliage, the green regard of the trees

softly bowing toward you, and you will sit there until the light fades.

In these lines, the speaker suggests that the beauty of the present moment will stay with us long after the day has passed. The image of the speaker sitting motionless in the yard, staring at the foliage, is a powerful one. It suggests a sense of stillness and contemplation, as well as a deep appreciation for the natural world. The final line, "and you will sit there until the light fades," suggests a willingness to be fully present in the moment, even as it slips away.

Overall, "Today" is a poem that celebrates the beauty of ordinary life. It reminds us that even the most mundane moments can be filled with wonder and joy if we take the time to appreciate them. The poem is filled with vivid imagery and sensory details that bring the scene to life, and the speaker's sense of joy and elation is infectious. By the end of the poem, we are left with a sense of stillness and contemplation, as well as a deep appreciation for the natural world.

In conclusion, "Today" is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Its message of finding beauty in the ordinary is a timeless one, and its simple yet powerful language makes it accessible to readers of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you are a seasoned poetry lover or a newcomer to the genre, "Today" is a poem that is sure to inspire and uplift you.

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