(22 March 1941 - / New York City)

poet Billy Collins
#34 on top 500 poets

Candle Hat

In most self-portraits it is the face that dominates:
Cezanne is a pair of eyes swimming in brushstrokes,
Van Gogh stares out of a halo of swirling darkness,
........................
........................
read full text »



Comments about this poem (Candle Hat by Billy Collins )

Enter the verification code :

  • Eiz Qarqash (6/3/2012 5:53:00 AM)

    This poem is second to none. It's the first poem I read for Mr. Collins and it's the best poem ever. As I read it, I'd just start wondering where Mr. Collins got all that creativity from.

    5 person liked.
    		7 person did not like.
  • Luke Johnson (12/15/2009 7:50:00 PM)

    Collins reminds me of Walter Matheau. His dry humor is insatiable.

    4 person liked.
    		5 person did not like.
  • Michael Gale (4/9/2009 10:00:00 PM)

    Imagine what would have happened as he walked through his house and had accidently got too close to a window drapery, or perhaps a Christmas Tree too old and dried out around Christmas time. Great poem Mr. Collins.

    God bless us all-MJG.

    6 person liked.
    		6 person did not like.
  • Tired of Being Exploited (5/25/2007 12:48:00 PM)

    This is such a brilliant piece of perception, Collins captures the majick playfulnes of Goya's self-portrait with the same sense of mirth that is held by Goya on his own face. Time for some studying and imitation...

    4 person liked.
    		5 person did not like.
  • T F Rice (7/31/2006 7:46:00 PM)

    This is my new favorite poem by Billy Collins! I had not read this one before this moment but I will read it again and again. The overlooked idea of Chiaroscuro in art is beautiful and can be quite breathtaking. Somehow, by humble poem, Mr. Collins has done the same, transporting us all through time. Painting with words... amazing... thank you... T F Rice

    3 person liked.
    		5 person did not like.

People who read Billy Collins also read

Top 500 Poems

  1. Phenomenal Woman
    Maya Angelou
  2. The Road Not Taken
    Robert Frost
  3. Still I Rise
    Maya Angelou
  4. If You Forget Me
    Pablo Neruda
  5. Dreams
    Langston Hughes
  6. Annabel Lee
    Edgar Allan Poe
  7. If
    Rudyard Kipling
  8. Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
    Robert Frost
  9. A Dream Within A Dream
    Edgar Allan Poe
  10. I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
    Maya Angelou
The Complete List of Top 500 Poems »
[Hata Bildir]