billy collins explication

Explication of Introduction to Poetry by Billy Collins

In “Introduction to Poetry by Billy Collins on of the themes is that poetry is hard to teach especially when student take it so literally. It is written from the poets point of view because in line one he uses I which is referring to him and them which is referring to his students. Billy Collins is trying to explain that poetry is something to explore and experience.

In first stanza the poem is compared to a color slide. It shows that readers have to have to squint really hard to not miss any figurative language and to look at the poem clearly. In the second stanza its being compared to a hive which shows that its difficult to understand a poem but you can still do it despite the difficulties. In the fourth stanza the poem is being compared to a maze. Which gives the imagery of it being confusing and a feeling of being lost. In the fifth stanza Billy Collins explains how he wants his student to understand and have fun with the poem. He says “I want them to waterski across the surface of the poem.”

Billy Collins tone in the poem is wishful to frustration. In the first five stanzas he’s being wishful. He says “I want them to waterski across the surface of the poem.” Billy Collins is also trying to explain how to approach the poem. In the last two stanzas he shows frustration. He says “But all they want to do is tie the poem to a chair with rope/ they begin beating with a hose.” Billy Collins is tired of teaching his students because they want to take it literal.. He’s frustrated at the fact the students don’t take the time to try to understand the poem. They just want to get the literal meaning with out thinking.