1. Who is the speaker of this poem? Who are they speaking to?
Billy Collins is the speaker of this poem and is narrating as a teacher of poetry. The speaker
appears to be speaking directly to the listener/reader regarding the poet’s experience.
2. List 3 literary devices you found in this poem. Quote the lines and explain what they are
about.
Personification “But all they want to do -- is tie the poem to a chair with rope -- and torture a
confession out of it.” To tie a poem to a chair and rope and torture a confession is likely to
rigidly look for meaning in a poem that isn’t meant to be interpreted like that.
Simile “hold it up to the light -- like a color slide” To hole up a poem to the light likely means to
look at the poem closely.
Metaphor “or press an ear against its hive.” To press and ear against its hive likely means to
listen closely to the words in a poem.
3. Why do you think Collins titled the poem “Introduction to Poetry”?
I think the poem is pretty simple in nature while stressing the message of the poem in a helpful
way.
4. What is the message of the poem, what is it about?
The message of the poem is that you shouldn’t be so rigid when exploring a poem. To simply
read and listen to the text, and maneuver throughout without any specific formula; as if
waterskiing.