“I wrote a poem once called “Taking Off Emily Dickinson’s Clothes,” which obviously got some negative publicity. A couple of women wrote poems called “Taking Off Billy Collins’s Clothes,” in which that was an unpleasant, rather disappointing thing to do. I’ve been asked about that Dickinson poem because it’s a little outrageous — I see poetry as an opportunity to be outrageous —”
Billy Collins - You know who that is right? A former poet laureate of the United States and a well known spokesperson for "poetry", Billy Collins is one of the very few poets to actually have best selling poetry books. He is a vocal proponent of accesible poetry that everyone - even non-poets can enjoy. Personally I enjoy the wry humor in many of his poems - even those about death. So, if you haven't already, please check out some of his books, poems and online readings. Okay I admit this interview is not the best I have seen but it is a great opportunity to introduce this "poet of the people". Here he gives an interview after a Key West Literary Seminar - Poetry as an opportunity to be outrageous - Well said Mr. Collins, well said. - Click here for the full interview
“I want to be alone with the reader. I tell this to my students: If you have a bunch of people in your poem — aunts and uncles and your brother you’re having problems with — you’re not alone with the reader, and you should really write a memoir.”