Embrace by Billy Collins

“Embrace” By Billy Collins

The most effective way for a poem to speak to the reader is by using a way of indirectly representing an image or an event. When the poet uses a filter, or a metaphor, he makes a figurative instead of a literal reference. Taking a look at Billy Collins’ poem, “Embrace” it is easy to think that the whole message from beginning to end is that this person was feeling lonely enough to hold himself. He is a little over the edge, and since there is no one around to embrace him, he has resorted to embracing himself. That is what the poem is about, a temporary condition of emptiness and one man’s Band-Aid. But it also suggests a bigger point about human nature and an individual’s perspective about life. It is normal to be uncertain about your particular condition, but a pattern of acting out in unconventional ways can sometimes drive a person crazy. The image of a man hugging himself tightly is not hard to picture. It is easy to imagine and that is why it serves as a good metaphor. In this poem, it is like a cry for help. This man is so desperate he is hugging himself tightly enough to be strapped in with a straitjacket. It wouldn’t seem like an act of desperation without putting the image in the reader’s head of the man in a straitjacket. Also, it would seem that he may be joking around if it weren’t for his face being plastered with a “screwy grin”. That is not the face of someone in a normal mental state, so it is reasonable to infer that he is sad or disturbed. The action of this man is representative of different points of view. From one angle, it is a couple in an embrace, from another; it is a crazy, lonely man. This poem is a portrait of neither Billy Collins nor his foil, but of a persona representing the average human being. Not to suggest every person is desperate and lonely, but saying that he might be so if he were lost with no distinct identity or anyone to love him. The perspective of the back of this man, the couple embracing, is like the mask of the man’s true feelings. This illusion is referred to as a “party trick” and seems like the kind of thing one might do to entertain his or her friends for a few cheap laughs. This man is the kind of man who does not express his despair to other people, but makes them believe that he is not only all right, but content with his life. Is he hoping that this semblance will attract people and convince them that he is lovable? That is what all people want, someone in their lives to care about them and to keep them company. Not many people are quick to tell another person about what’s burdening them; they give the appearance of being all right most of the time, even when they are far from it. It is as if they are hugging themselves to make other people think they are loved and cared for. From the front, it is apparent that he is actually hugging himself and looking like a crazy idiot. It is shameful and needs to be hidden from view. This side of the coin makes him look unstable and desperate for love. It is symbolic of everyone’s secret shame. Although not every human being is on the edge of insanity with loneliness and desperation squeezing out good judgment, no one is happy and content with every aspect of their life. This does not only pertain to love, but the main focus is on relationships and identities. Billy Collin’s simple, matter-of-fact language is helpful in giving the impression that this is not a mental breakdown. The man is just acting like a human being. Collins does not even say that the straitjacket is some kind of frightening constraint, but he only says it would hold him extremely tightly. He does not pity his subject, he just thinks of it as being simply a fact. His unconcerned diction represents that it is a common occurrence in humans and is not the kind of thing to be alarmed about. Billy Collin’s imagery, use of casual language, and description of strange behavior, all help make the message clear that every human being has times of insecurity and desperation. Every person also has a way of covering this up whether it’s by lying, living in denial, or simply hugging oneself. This poem may seem simple, but it has many ways it could be interpreted and applied to many people’s lives. If someone does not believe they have anything wrong with them at any time, ever, well then they are the ones who need serious mental help.