Billy Collins spent his tenure as U.S. Poet Laureate launching the Poetry 180 initiative to increase American high school students’ exposure to poetry. In today’s poem he remembers what it was like to be young (and not so young).
My first exposure to Billy Collins was through The Lanyard; I think that poem, more than On Turning Ten, perfectly captures that sardonic wit that Collins never seems to shake off. So does Introduction to Poetry, which I think this podcast has also covered. But I don't think that his characteristic tone works well in this poem! A 10yo on the cusp of A Big Number, realizing more about his own self and place in the world, is a beautiful, almost sacred thing. The magic of turning 10 is not well served by Collin's own habit of sort of separating himself from his own thinking - maintain a tone of ironic distance.
Fair point, though I like that in this one the distance prevents him from getting too close to something that is increasingly impossible for an adult to access except as a distant mystery.
Sean, have you ever seen this? My kids loved Martha Speaks, and this was one of my absolute favorite episodes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76xFHHNaPf4
I hadn't–this was fun. I kept waiting for "Another Reason Why I Don't Keep A Gun In The House."
There's no thumbnail preview! I promise if you click it it's worth it ;)
My first exposure to Billy Collins was through The Lanyard; I think that poem, more than On Turning Ten, perfectly captures that sardonic wit that Collins never seems to shake off. So does Introduction to Poetry, which I think this podcast has also covered. But I don't think that his characteristic tone works well in this poem! A 10yo on the cusp of A Big Number, realizing more about his own self and place in the world, is a beautiful, almost sacred thing. The magic of turning 10 is not well served by Collin's own habit of sort of separating himself from his own thinking - maintain a tone of ironic distance.
The Lanyard is fantastic.
Fair point, though I like that in this one the distance prevents him from getting too close to something that is increasingly impossible for an adult to access except as a distant mystery.