Billy Collins

LitCharts guides for works by Billy Collins

Explore LitCharts poetry guides for works by Billy Collins. Each guide offers line-by-line analysis, exploration of poetic devices, and helpful resources for studying Billy Collins's poetry.

Afternoon with Irish Cows

"Afternoon with Irish Cows" was written by the American poet Billy Collins. Composed during an academic stay in Ireland, the poem's subject is exactly what the title suggests—some cows in a field. ... view guide

Introduction to Poetry

The celebrated American poet Billy Collins published "Introduction to Poetry" in his 1988 collection The Apple That Astonished Paris. In Collins's characteristically casual and witty style, the spe... view guide

On Turning Ten

"On Turning Ten" was first published in the American poet Billy Collins's 1995 collection The Art of Drowning. One of the most popular contemporary U.S. poets, Collins is known for his humorous and... view guide

The Art of Drowning

The American poet Billy Collins published "The Art of Drowning" in his 1995 collection of the same name. With gentle humor, the poem investigates an old cliché about death: that people see their li... view guide

The History Teacher

"The History Teacher" first appeared in Billy Collins's 1991 poetry collection Questions About Angels. The poem depicts a history teacher who strives to preserve his students' innocence by telling ... view guide