Billy Collins

How very refreshing. As an unschooled novice wanting to connect with real, deep feelings, I will at times become discouraged when I read established, honored poets that I not only don't care for but also don't begin to 'get'. Poetry is subjective, yes..... Thank you for restoring my sanity with your museful contact. (Report) Reply

Every dog has its song
And to us it is stat taco of barks
Beethoven with a tail, why not
There he goes again, oh hark
Bow wow wow wow wow! ! ! (Report) Reply

Here's the inspired kernel of truth hidden by Billy Collins's poem: it's fucking hilarious, and that's it. (Report) Reply

I liked the poem a lot. Billy Collins's poems are very simple with slight favor of mystery, but they symbolize complex thoughts. Thank you, Mr. Collins for such a great poem and I hope I'll meet you in person someday. (Report) Reply

My second favorite poem ever.... and the poem which led me to my favorite poet ever... Billy Collins the maestro.... Thank you Billy... Enjoyed your recent visit to Vanderbilt University, please come again. (Report) Reply

Inspirational......I love it when it comes to the barking barking barking bit....best to read this out load to someone first time...and watch them crack up as you animate the poem....Ten out of Ten .....take a B C powder and come back strong....a modern master of the highest calibre (Report) Reply

I've always assumed the poor dog's owners were those at risk should Billy 'keep a gun...' (Report) Reply

@joe Rock - Classical music is not for Sissies (Report) Reply

This is neither a poem about a dog nor a gun, but - dare I suggest it? - a poem of madness. When even Beethoven cannot protect us (say it isn't so, not even Appassionata's extended coda and its own descent into mental frenzy?) and our dearly earned education leaves us unable to think our way out (Out? 'OUT, damned Spot! ') and there is the everlasting RARK! RARK! RARK! D-D-DOG sitting in our oboe section - Yes, I am wearing black and hunched over the pipes, vibrating to Bach's Toccata & Fugue in D Minor, keeping time with a major facial tic.

And Luke, dear wonderful bright-eyed Luke: I laughed nearly as madly at Joe's resolution as that of Sir Collins. (Report) Reply

Joe Rock, you took this poem way too serious. This is a humorist sharing his wretched misfortune with all of us. (Report) Reply

Your reflection and perception of a 'Gun' inference to solve a most common
'pestering' for Peace among neighbors, succeeds in patronizing the Pet and kindly
tolerate their enslaved companion. Had the 'Genius' of Ancient, Activist Musicians dealt alike with tyrant, murdering 'Hecklers', such complacency would have never provided any poem's author with literary amusement. Not such as WMD technology hath ended all wars, as we were led to believe as WW 2 Veterans, There's a more simpler solution to shut down inconsiderate 'Barking'. All animals do have their birth right to communicate within hearing range. Please allow me to collaborate and share a learned solution.

'There were Barks from the left of my fence and likened responses from the right side. Flanking from the rear were two megaphoning Dobermans, ready at Guard - An audience with faint bark applause were in harmony within ear shout distance from somewhere.'

My call to our local trusty and loving 'Animal Control' officers had all the provokers for peace among all neighbors by the space age technology of a mild shocking 'Barking Collar'. One button depressed and the animal is trained to shut itself up and keep all we more disaplined animals happy and Loving?
Now? What to do with the evil brains of all war mongers and fanatic, dogma barkers
Any Ideas out there? Repectfully, Mr Collins, you are a stimulus sort of inspire,
to say the least, Thank you!

...louie
NYC bred (Report) Reply

The title doesn't really jive with the poem, as it seems like he doesn't mind the dog enough to shoot it. Plus, the narrator sounds like a sissy who is afraid of guns and listens only to classical music. But what do you expect from Billy. Blegh. (Report) Reply

I spoze Billy's right- humor is the best weapon! If you can't quiet the doggie, mizewell laugh about him! (Report) Reply

Drop dead hilarious. Great to see I am not alone in this world. (Report) Reply

What a hoot! Really got me laughing. Maybe this is the root of minimalist music? (Report) Reply

Hey Billy: This poem brings to mind an episode of the TV series Seinfeld, Where Elaine Benis cannot get any sleep because of a constant dog barking nonstop, Elaine then hires Newman the postman and Cosmo Kramer who go and kidnaps the same said dog, but not before the dog bites and tears away a piece of material from Kramers sleeve. Great poem. Have you seen that episode of Seinfeld?

God bless us all-MJG. (Report) Reply

I have yet to see a situation which could not be impoved by a firearm (Report) Reply

Cute. I wonder how a mewing cat would sound along with the Moonlight Sonata. (Report) Reply

When it happened to me......I thought 'What would Dear Abby do? ' She'd go straight to the source..........so I telephoned.......sheepishly apologizing for bothering them for bothering me.........I explained that '......even with my windows closed and my music wide open....'...........The Lady of The House told me '...well, get in line. The whole neighborhood is complaining.......' Things changed, though.........every time I'd drive by their house they'd lean out the front door calling me names.............My dog, Bless Her Heart, never forgave them and they weren't allowed to come and go without her barking in their direction.........They couldn't even sneak to their car! They couldn't have a BBQ, they couldn't mow their stupid crabby grass without my best friend making them squirm! Their dog, the size of a chicken. My dog? a large pony.....and smart enough to never cross her property line................The perfect payback..... (Report) Reply

Yes brother, and certain barking people are the reason I do not keep a gun in the car... (Report) Reply