A Bit of Billy

Over the past couple of years I have acquired a great fondness for the poet Billy Collins. He's clever, witty, funny, and honest. I was thinking about this particular poem the other day amidst my crazy school schedule. Enjoy!

LITANY- By Billy Collins

You are the bread and the knife,         

The crystal goblet and the wine...        

 -Jacques Crickillon  

You are the bread and the knife, 

the crystal goblet and the wine. 

You are the dew on the morning grass 

and the burning wheel of the sun. 

You are the white apron of the baker, 

and the marsh birds suddenly in flight.  

However, you are not the wind in the orchard, 

the plums on the counter, 

or the house of cards. 

And you are certainly not the pine-scented air. 

There is just no way that you are the pine-scented air.  

It is possible that you are the fish under the bridge, 

maybe even the pigeon on the general's head, 

but you are not even close to being the field of cornflowers at dusk. 

 And a quick look in the mirror will show 

that you are neither the boots in the corner 

nor the boat asleep in its boathouse.  

It might interest you to know, 

speaking of the plentiful imagery of the world, 

that I am the sound of rain on the roof.  

I also happen to be the shooting star, 

the evening paper blowing down an alley 

and the basket of chestnuts on the kitchen table.  

I am also the moon in the trees 

and the blind woman's tea cup. 

But don't worry, I'm not the bread and the knife. 

You are still the bread and the knife. 

You will always be the bread and the knife, 

not to mention the crystal goblet and--somehow--the wine.