Comments on: Billy Collins

By: Katie

Katie — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 21:57:31 +0000

I think Billy Collins would like your image of the book running around your feet like a dog. I got to see him read while I was a student at Whitworth College (now Whitworth University), and it was wonderful how the community showed up and packed the place out. I’ve never seen so many people enjoying poetry.

By: Holly

Holly — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 08:11:51 +0000

Having been a (sadly i must confess) a non-poetry reader, I am oddly excited to go and find this book. I found myself laughing out loud… Thanks for sharing what you love.

By: Ryan Taylor

Ryan Taylor — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 04:28:16 +0000

Hey Don,
Totally unrelated to this post but thought I might get in touch with you here.
I’m in Denver and my wife and I are mentoring a child apiece through a program called Denver Kids which helps provide mentors to high needs kids within Denver Public Schools. I’m trying to get some other folks involved within Adullam (our church). Any chance we can integrate this with the Mentoring Project? And if so, how would I go about that?
Thanks, dude.

By: Brandon

Brandon — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 03:21:19 +0000

Don, thanks for your words. This probably happens a lot but I’m gonna try any way. I am a graduating senior from a Christian College in the midwest. I’m a big fan of your work. The deal is this, I’m coming to Portland/Seattle for 2 weeks in December. I’m a southern kid straight from Northeast Alabama. I would really like to meet with you. I can’t afford a fancy interview, but I can certainly buy a cup of coffee. If you even read this please respond. I’d write a short spread for our newsletter. Thanks man. I look forward to the new book.

By: donmilleris

donmilleris — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:23:45 +0000

Emily,

That is such a sweet memory. And to have a book of poems (along with so much else) to remember your father with is special. Especially from a poet as thoughtful as Billy Collins. I’ve not seen The Diving Bell and the Butterfly but am currently reading the book. It does give you a different and more joyful feeling about life. Wonderful stuff. Have a great Thanksgiving and Christmas…

Don

By: Emily

Emily — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 21:49:46 +0000

Twelve years ago Billy Collins came to speak at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. My parents were living in Oxford and my dad (knowing my passion for writing) invited me to join him to go see Billy. I had to work and could not go with my dad. But my dad told me afterwards that I should have called in sick and gone with him. My dad purchased a copy of The Art of Drowning for me that night and said he wanted to get it signed for me but the line was too long. Even now I am overwhelmed by the sweetness of that gesture. My dad passed away a little over a year ago and I recently wrote a tribute to him on my blog based on my experience of watching “The Diving Bell and The Butterfly.” I especially appreciate this post about Ballistics since I heard Billy Collins on “A Prairie Home Companion” not long ago reading his more recent poems including one about the loss of his wife. It prompted me to remember my dad by reading some poems in The Art of Drowning. I don’t know why, but this post just seems to bring all of these experiences full circle. I’m putting Ballistics on my Christmas list.

By: Jeff Campbell

Jeff Campbell — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 12:33:26 +0000

Somebody– or a few somebody’s… have computer animated several of Collin’s old works. The audio is his readings of his work. (I love his understated, dead pan deliveries) the videos are rather interesting representations of what’s going on.
They’re quite interesting literary music videos and can be found on you tube by searching Collins’ name. Fans who haven’t seen them ought to check them out.

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 23:28:32 +0000

Don,

Yes. That was him. Two exceptional books of essays. That was my first exposure to him. He also has several books of poetry — though you don’t have to go any further than his prose to find poesy.

The Undertaking: Life Studies from the Dismal Trade was his first collection of essays. It was a National Book Award Finalist. And it is a great place to start.

By: Margie

Margie — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 20:29:27 +0000

The poet undertaker was from Michigan.

By: donmilleris

donmilleris — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 03:42:48 +0000

Paul,

Was Thomas Lynch the poet featured on an episode of Frontline? There was a Frontline doc called “undertaking” that, when I saw it on Tivo, I nearly skipped (anything non-political couldn’t be good, right?) but I watched it anyway and it might have been the best one I’ve seen. And there was this poet/undertaker from Minnesota or Michigan who was phenomenal. I made my friends watch it. I think I saw it three times….