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Birthday-Poetry Wednesday — 7 Comments

  1. For the New Yorkers, Billy Collins is a professor at Lehman College. He’s also reading at the New york Botanical Gardens this Saturday, don’t think I can make it though.
    ——————————————————————
    12/13/2014: 2:00 p.m.
    Poetry Reading with Billy Collins
    Part of the Holiday Train Show

    In Ross Hall

    Stroll through the Leon Levy Visitor Center and Perennial Garden Way to read train-inspired poems by former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins. On Saturday, December 13, meet the poet during a special reading of his work, including beloved winter selections to celebrate the season.

    Seating is limited; reserve your tickets in advance to guarantee seating.

    Co-presented with the Poetry Society of America

    Included with All-Garden Pass admission | Get Your Tickets | Share

  2. This is so interesting.

    The impression I got from reading “Taking Off Emily Dickinson’s Clothes” was that the narrator’s undressing symbolized the finding of the real Emily Dickinson, but the clothing was not a metaphor for Dickinson’s exposure through poetry. Instead, the clothing was a metaphor for the poetry itself, each layer representing a deeper level of meaning behind her poetry, eventually leading to the naked feelings of Dickinson herself.

    I would think the “tippet made of tulle,” in the first line and “her bonnet” in line four symbolize the line, “My Tippet – only Tulle –” in her poem, “Because I could not stop for Death”.

    • Dickinson was an odd bird. After visiting her home and touring and hearing the lecture it was made clear that she was a recluse, she never wanted her work published, I believe she had a sister, Lavinia, who published her work after her death. I saw Emily’s dresses and the white “house dress” she always wore, the view from the windows, the garden and probable “orchard”. Her work was often a mystery and had frequently had multiple meanings.

  3. synchronization….i discovered billy collins on the subway…..well he wasn’t there but his poetry was as there was a placcard in each subway car called poetry in motion with different contemporary poems posted each month. i have been known to give up a perfectly good and coveted subway seat to read the poetry and billy collins is one of my favorite subway poets. i think the poem i fell in love with was about grand central station but i may be mistaken. i do find it a bit fantastic sue that you and i discovered the same poet. love,’lainie

  4. I had never heard of Billy Collins before, but after reading this stupendous poem I am willing to explore his other works. Thanks for introducing me to his poetry, Sue.

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