(22 March 1941 - / New York City)

poet Billy Collins
#32 on top 500 poets
What do you think this poem is about?

Walking Across The Atlantic

I wait for the holiday crowd to clear the beach
before stepping onto the first wave.

Soon I am walking across the Atlantic
thinking about Spain,
checking for whales, waterspouts.
I feel the water holding up my shifting weight.
Tonight I will sleep on its rocking surface.

But for now I try to imagine what
this must look like to the fish below,
the bottoms of my feet appearing, disappearing.

Submitted: Monday, January 13, 2003


Read poems about / on: beach, fish, water, sleep, fishing

Comments about this poem (Walking Across The Atlantic by Billy Collins )

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  • Margaret Newcomb (6/24/2007 3:02:00 PM)

    Mr. Collins,
    Your work is so descriptive and imaginative that I am right there walking across the Atlantic with you. Thank you. I never imagined I'd get to.
    Margaret

    4 person liked.
    		1 person did not like.
  • Paula Schneiderman (12/16/2006 6:24:00 PM)

    I love having access to specific poems, but your website is a little hard to navigate. Maybe it will be easier for me the next time. Thanks, Paula

    1 person liked.
    		3 person did not like.
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