"Morning," by Billy Collins

"Morning," by Billy Collins

Billy Collins was born in 1941 in New York City. He earned his BA from the College of the Holy Cross, and an MA and PhD. from the University of California. Collins has been called the "most popular poet in America" by the New York Times. His poetry is famous for its conversational, and witty style (his poetry often appearing quirky on the surface, but have profound observations on everyday subjects). People also say that Collins has a remarkably American voice, and he views his own poetry as unashamedly suburban and domestic. From 2001 to 2003, he served two terms as the US Poet Laureate.

Why do we bother with the rest of the day,

the swale of the afternoon,

the sudden dip into evening,

then night with his notorious perfumes,

his many-pointed stars?

This is the best—

throwing off the light covers,

feet on the cold floor,

and buzzing around the house on espresso—

maybe a splash of water on the face,

a palmful of vitamins—

but mostly buzzing around the house on espresso,

dictionary and atlas open on the rug,

the typewriter waiting for the key of the head,

a cello on the radio,

and, if necessary, the windows—

trees fifty, a hundred years old

out there,

heavy clouds on the way

and the lawn steaming like a horse

in the early morning.

Morning is the sign of a new start, new opportunities, and a new day.  Why then would we ever want to “bother with the rest of the day?”  Within the poem, “Morning,” the author uses a carefree tone and a relatable setting in order to express how much he enjoys his simple morning routine. 

Collins begins his poem with the stark contrast between the images of the refreshing calm of the early morning and the dull darkness of the night. To help his audience visualize the setting, he uses vibrant action verbs such as buzzing, throwing, splash, etc.; words that make us feel energized as he begins his daily routine.  When Collins discusses the “swale of the afternoon,” the “sudden dip of the evening,” and the notorious night with its many “pointed stars,” his diction is much more harsh and passive, and he loses his light-hearted tone.

Common with many of Collins’ other poems, he uses situations that everyone can relate to; the domestic or suburban life of the average American. We have all experienced the feeling of throwing off our covers in the morning, the feeling our feet on cold wooden floors, or the shock of caffeine from coffee or espresso.  He writes about a “dictionary and atlas on the open rug,” a typewriter waiting to be used, and a literal window into the outside world of possibilities. These everyday objects illustrate the idea of a fresh-start, the opportunity to begin again, and the joys of having a peaceful morning.