The New Yorker: Poetry
Clarence Major Reads Billy Collins
Jun 24, 2020
Clarence Major, a distinguished writer and artist, joins Kevin Young to read 'Downpour' by Billy Collins and his own poem 'Hair.' They explore themes of mortality, memory, and superstitions surrounding hair, discussing the power of language in poetry and global inspirations for creative focus.
27:01
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Quick takeaways
- In 'Downpour' by Billy Collins, the poem explores the intertwining of remembering and forgetting through the act of listing deceased friends on a flipped shopping list in a supermarket setting.
- The speaker's omission and confession of forgetting a friend's name in 'Downpour' by Billy Collins conveys vulnerability and compassion while reflecting on loss and memory within everyday experiences.
Deep dives
Supermarket Reminder and Reflections on Death in Billy Collins' 'Downpour'
In the poem 'Downpour' by Billy Collins, the speaker reflects on naming deceased friends and the ritual of recalling them in a supermarket setting. By listing the departed on a flipped shopping list, a sense of remembering and forgetting intertwines with mundane tasks, like buying groceries. The poem transitions from a practical activity to a solemn procession, capturing a poignant moment of honoring the dead through everyday experiences.
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