An interview with Billy Collins : Me: Billy, what did you feel when you wrote the poem "Introduction to Poetry" ? Billy: I felt angry, angry of all those teachers that teach in a wrong way! Teachers who won’t let their students use their imagination. Me: So, what is exactly the message that you tried to convey in your poem? Billy: Well, I tried to explain to students that they can learn literature in a much more fun way. Me: and in a different way, are all of your poems are created in order to convey a message? Billy: I think that every poet tries to convey some messages in every one of his poems, because this is the purpose in poems. Me: but sometimes because all of the metaphors in the poems it is very hard – for the reader, to understand the message or the deeper meaning of the poem, do you want to explain why you needed all those metaphors? Billy: in poems it is all about the metaphors, without them it’s just a regular song. Also with metaphors you can express yourself without the fear that someone will be hurt because of this. Me: so, in conclusion, what do you think can provide students and teachers open their mind for poetry? Billy: well, all I can say to help in this area is that before you read a poem, relax! Take it easy it’s just a poem and you need to enjoy it and not to treat it like a punishment. Neta Gabay yod 3 |