Friday, February 04, 2022

Poetry Friday: "Days" by Billy Collins


It's been far too long since I shared anything by Billy Collins. It's time, people, it's time! Days are precious and every day without Billy Collins is a day with a hole in it. 

I love the way this poem delicately walks the line between gratitude and sheer, existential terror. 

And, in case you didn't know, here's a thing you should know: 



Days
by Billy Collins


Each one is a gift, no doubt,
mysteriously placed in your waking hand
or set upon your forehead
moments before you open your eyes.
....

Through the calm eye of the window
everything is in its place 
but so precariously 
this day might be resting somehow 

on the one before it, 
all the days of the past stacked high
like the impossible tower of dishes 
entertainers used to build on stage. 

(Read the whole thing here, at The Poetry Foundation.


~~~~~~~~~~

 Elisabeth has the round-up at Unexpected Intersections

9 comments:

PATRICIA FRANZ said...

Thanks for the reminder about Billy Collins facebook broadcast! This was a great choice for starting my day.

jama said...

Had not seen this one before. Excellent!!

skanny17 said...

As I have moved into the senior citizen category more and more, I am in good health but never really think much about the "what if" ....it can be scary for sure, though the down-sizing and getting organized so that "things" are in place, well, this poem does remind us that life can be tricky, unreliable and not for the faint of heart.....I am trying to watch Billy in the afternoon a little more often but his time of day is not the best for me. How gracious he to share and I can see that a community has evolved. One of my good friends is very much into it. I am sure it is a lovely evolution of a community for sure.

Alan j Wright said...

You had my attention at Billy Collins, Karen. Always interested in what others are sharing regarding his poetry. I very much enjoyed 'Days.' I shall check out the Facebook reference you provided. Thanks so much.

Carol Varsalona said...

Karen, I love Billy Collins, especially since he presented at a New York State Reading Council luncheon for a small group of educators. He is amazing in person and so funny. I would love to hear him read his poem. Thanks for the link to his podcast.

Mary Lee said...

Thank you for a Billy Collins fix and for a perfect meditation on time and appreciation for what we have.

Bridget Magee said...

Thanks for adding Billy to my day today. :)

Linda B said...

I just finished one of his fabulous treats for us, Karen. Thanks for this one, too. Perhaps I should just look him up every day at the Poetry Foundation? Yikes, I did not know about the broadcast. Will look! I love "Place this cup on yesterday's saucer."

Elisabeth said...

Oh that's lovely, Karen. I love that metaphor of precariously balancing each new day on those we placed before. Thank you so much for sharing that and for joining the Poetry Friday party this week!