Billy Collins (22 March 1941 - / New York City)

I LLLOOOOVVVVEEEE THIS POEM! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! I have nothing bad to say! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

I must admit this is one helluvan idea. I wonder if it could have been written in the language of ten. Compare with Christmas Tree by e.e.cummings.

Hmmmm. 'I felt so ashamed to be 10 years old and afraid.43 isn't much different'. Feels like a poem coming on. ;)

This poem had me reminiscing about my 10th. It was 1975 and 'Jaws' had just come out. I had the coolest birthday ever - a pool party and everyone got rubber sharks as a party favor. I was afraid to get in the pool. I felt so ashamed to be 10 years old and afraid. 43 isn't much different.

This is a great poem to read to children, they get a huge kick out of this idea....looking back on your life when you are that young....