Billy Collins is amazing because he is a contemporary poet and writes poems that nearly everyone can understand and identify with. I like the idea of using Billy Collins' poems at the beginning of a poetry unit because then students won't see poetry as so complicated or indecipherable.
My Fav Five Billy Collins poems:
"The Lanyard" because it hints at how little we really appreciate our parents
"Litany" because it makes fun of cheesy love metaphors
"I Chop Some Parsley While Listening To Art Blakey's Version Of 'Three Blind Mice'" because it's a funny poem
"Embrace" because it's kind of funny and kind of terrifying
"Flames" because it has a surprise ending
There are millions of videos of poems that can add a little variation to your lessons, like this one of Collins' poem "Forgetfulness." Just make sure that YouTube isn't blocked on the computer at your school. :)
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