Poet Laureate Wins Laughs From Crowd

Poet Laureate Billy Collins charmed a packed crowd at the Graduate School of Education last night, reading humorous selections from his works and mocking the conventions of poetry.

Collins skewered everyone from Belgians to Chaucer to Toni Braxton. One of his poems, “More than a Woman”—also the title of one of Braxton’s songs—ridicules contemporary popular music.

He also treated his fans to the inner workings of a poet in his poem “Monday,” which talks about the routines of daily work.

“Looking out of windows seems to be so much of a poet’s job description,” he said.

“Every time the window washer comes over I wonder if I can deduct the cost as a job expense,” Collins joked, eliciting one of a series of loud chuckles from the audience.

Another poem, “Surprise,” elicited a more muted response.

“I know you were feeling uncertain about that one,” he acknowledged. “That’s a perfectly legitimate reaction.”

Collins also mentioned his recent work on a project to bring poetry to high school students, developing a website and publishing a book in conjunction with the Library of Congress.

“Poetry can be a part of everyday life. We just have to reclaim interest in it,” Collins said.

Dottie V. Engler, co-director of external relations at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, said she was delighted by the turnout. The audience thronged Askwith Hall, where the reading was held, standing in the aisles and even sitting on the edge of the stage.

“There’s something fabulous about people getting so excited about poetry,” Engler said. “By the size of the crowd, you would think we were bringing a major NFL player here.”

Audience members attributed the excitement to Collins’ accessibility and wit.

His style really brings his poetry to life,” said Sue W. Schopf, assistant dean of the Extension School. “His bittersweet but witty view of life all came through in his reading.”

Colleen P. McCarthy ’06 agreed.

“His reading was so much better than others that I’ve been to,” she said.

“His playful language hooked me with every poem. Plus, he’s just really hilarious.”