First published 2013
Billy Collins opens his apartment window to let in the morning air and considers how ordinary moments transform into something larger. The former US Poet Laureate moves through daily life with careful attention, finding poetry in grocery store visits, dog walks, and quiet evenings at home. His voice carries both lightness and depth as he examines the gap between expectation and reality. Collins pairs gentle humor with genuine feeling, letting wonder emerge from irony. He writes in plain language that reveals musical qualities upon closer listening. The poems span a decade of work, drawing from four previous collections while adding fifty new pieces. Collins demonstrates how the mundane world connects to infinite possibilities. His observations about American life have expanded poetry's reach beyond traditional boundaries. The collection shows a poet comfortable with his craft, moving between playful wordplay and moments of empathy. Collins proves that accessible poetry can still surprise and move readers without sacrificing artistic integrity.
Genres: american, contemporary, poetry, 21st-century
Vibes: intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: accessible-poetry, mundane-to-meaningful
261 pages · Hardcover · Random House