Embrace by Billy Collins

<< prev. poem	Poems by Billy Collins: 7 / 41	next poem >>

Embrace

You know the parlor trick.
wrap your arms around your own body
and from the back it looks like
someone is embracing you
her hands grasping your shirt
her fingernails teasing your neck
from the front it is another story
you never looked so alone
your crossed elbows and screwy grin
you could be waiting for a tailor
to fit you with a straight jacket
one that would hold you really tight.

Billy Collins

User Rating:

5.5 /10
(4 votes)

E-mail this poem to e friend

• Send this poem as eCard

• Add this poem to MyPoemList

• Print friendly version

Comments about this poem (Embrace by Billy Collins)

more comments >>

Click here to write your comments about this poem (Embrace by Billy Collins)

Tired of Being Exploited (5/25/2007 12:56:00 PM)
It's older work and certainly more jovial.
I really enjoy the 'two sides of the coin' motif.
Especially coming around to the strait jacket...

Raymond Bennett (2/24/2007 10:28:00 AM)
so is this Billy Collins or is it not?

Read all 5 comments >>