Further into the Rabbit Hole of Poetry

Re-reading Billy Collin's poem, "Introduction to Poetry" has helped to increase my study of his work.  Using methods suggested by Professor Gideon Burton, I have more thoughts on this poetry and have enhanced my study of this specific work of literature.


One of his suggestions is to look for omissions.  I thought this was a curious prompt so I gave it a try.  Billy Collins suggests looking at, listening to, feeling, and skimming through a poem.  What about tasting it?  Or smelling it?  What would a poem taste or smell like?  Why did he leave out those senses? Would adding those sensations create a better poem or detract from it?

I also chose to summarize the poem.

Look at or through a poem.
Listen to a poem.
Watch someone else interpret a poem.
Explore a poem and expose it to the light.
Skim across a poem without giving much acknowledgment to the author.
But every one wants to hurt poetry.
They abuse it to determine its meaning.

This exercise helped to find general meaning in this work.  It helped shed the distractions of flowery, yet beautifully moving, comparisons and allowed me to see the message more clearly. 

Why the heck do I care?  What an interesting question! I feel like so many times the beauty of poetry is scarred by the brutality of critics.  I agreed with Mr. Collins--LEAVE THE POEMS ALONE!  Leave the POETS alone.  Let them relax while you enjoy their hard work.  That's why I care.



[Policy claim]-Billy Collin's poem, "Introduction to Poetry," should not be used to define poetry but to teach readers how to enjoy poetry.

[Definition claim]-"Introduction to Poetry," is a free verse poem.

[Comparison claim]-Unlike many "Ars Poetica" poems, "Introduction to Poetry" does not define poetry as much as it explains how poetry should be treated.

[Evaluation claim]-It is best to read "Introduction to Poetry" as a guide to how poetry should be read and not as a definition to what poetry actually is.

[Casual claim]-The personification of poetry in Billy Collin's "Introduction to Poetry" enhances the reader's humanity in not wanting to torture a meaning out of every work.