This is a beautiful Billy Collins poem I promised to find for Pauline, a wonderful poet herself. I had published this on February 8, 2005, in a post about our upcoming poetry night.Horizon by Billy Collins
You can use the brush of a Japanese monk
or a pencil stub from a race track.
As long as you draw the line a third
the way up from the bottom of the page,
the effect is the same: the world suddenly
divided into its elemental realms.
A moment ago there was only a piece of paper.
Now there is earth and sky, sky and sea.
You were sitting alone in a small room.
Now you are walking in the heat of a vast desert
or standing on the ledge of a winter beach
watching the light on the water, light in the air.
Thank you Barbara! It's one I had not read. This is exactly why I love Billy Collins - such simple thoughts written so eloquently. Have you ever read anything by Ron Koertge?
ReplyDeleteI like Billy Collins. This reminds me of when you teach these art elements to Gr. 3's. I always love their pictures. Such a happy perspective on life with their sun and clouds with smiles and flowers everywhere!
ReplyDeletePauline -- This poem comes from a collection called "The Art of Drowning." I love many of the poems it includes. I don't know Ron Koertge. Tell me more about him and his poetry.
ReplyDeleteMOI -- Exactly. When many children draw a picture, it's that horizon that first goes on the page. There's nothing better than a smiling sun on an 8-year-old's pciture.
Ron Koertge is a children's book author but also a wonderful poet with a couple of poetry books to his credit. He was my instructor for six months, teaching this non-poet to find her rhythm. He has published in numerous magazines and has two books of poems for adults: Making Love to Roget's Wife published by the University of Arkansas Press, and Fever published by Red Hen Press. He's worth seeking out.
ReplyDeleteThat's a beautiful poem. My favorite Collins poem is still the Paradelle for Susan, though ;o)
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