Responding to Poetry

Billy Collins - Intro to Poetry

1. This poem feels very straightforward and almost prose-like. Business-like is another synonym I might give to it. Each line is short and contains just a kernel of information. This accomplishes the poem's purpose though.

2.This poem hands out loads of expectations right from the start. The title literally tells what the poem will be about. The reader automatically understands that they will be reading something that introduces and teaches poetry in some way, which is exactly what happens.

3.The poem begins with the author asking someone to take a poem and hold it up to the light. Presumably the individuals he is asking this of is his students. Already however the meaning is clear that he is talking about poetry analysis. Later he becomes much more metaphoric when he mentions pressing an ear to the hive of the poem, dropping a mouse into the poem, and water-skiing across the surface of the poem. All these things are not literal items that would occur in the analysis of a poem.

4.There are a few ambiguities in this poem. A color slide is something usually used in film which can be seen through, thus aiding the metaphor of  "seeing" through a poem. He also mentions waving at an author's name on the shore. This is ambiguous because no particular author is mentioned since this method of analysis can be applied to any poem.

5.The poem speaks about an educator attempting to teach his students how to analyze poetry, and his troubles with helping them understand. The narrator is a character, as well as his students, who could be any number. No indication is given of the setting of the poem, but it is generally inferred that it occurs in some sort of educational environment. The plot of the poem mostly resembles around the method described by the narrator of how to analyze a poem, and then how his students fail to grasp what he teaches.

6.I believe this poem matters and is significant because it provides an opportunity to see into a person's view of the deeper nature and meaning of poetry. There is value in this that can be gained by others. Presumably the narrator's intention is for others to make use of his wisdom where his own students did not. The issue and conflict of helping a younger generation to learn wisdom is an age old issue and has relevance in all spheres of activity. The conflict does not really have any resolution. The poem ends with a statement of the narrator's implied frustration at his pupil's inability to learn what he is trying to teach them.

7.The poem is organized succinctly. It is largely condensed with short lines that contain little information individually. The form of the poem essentially allows for the reader to take in bits of information gradually as they read. One idea is introduced, then another, like baby steps. This allows the poem to flow in a smooth manner that generally aids with the comprehension of the poem itself.

8.As far as I can tell this poem generally adheres to the conventions of the this type of poem. It does not seem overly unique or dramatic in any way. Indeed, based off the content and title of the poem, one can infer that it was actually meant to adhere closely to convention.