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| Billy Collins at D.G. Wills Books, La Jolla, San Diego. Photo by Marcelo Noah. |
Collins is an American poet who served two terms as the U.S. Poet Laureate (2001-2003). He writes about everyday, ordinary aspects of life in a very conversational and accessible way, and Bruce Weber of The New York Times once called him "the most popular poet in America."
I began reading Collins' poetry about a year ago, and during my research, I learned that several artists have worked to create animated videos of some of his poems, bringing them to life even more vividly than the poet's words alone. I'd like to share a few of these short videos with you today. I hope you enjoy them.
I began reading Collins' poetry about a year ago, and during my research, I learned that several artists have worked to create animated videos of some of his poems, bringing them to life even more vividly than the poet's words alone. I'd like to share a few of these short videos with you today. I hope you enjoy them.
"Now and Then" -- read by Billy Collins and animated by Eun-ha Paek of Milky Elephant:
"The Country" -- read by Billy Collins and animated by Brady Baltezor of Radium:
"The Dead" -- read by Billy Collins and animated by Juan Delcan of Spontaneous:
"Forgetfulness" -- read by Billy Collins and animated by Julian Grey of Headgear:
(You can find more of Collins' animated poems on YouTube.)
Do you have a favorite poet or poem? What do you think of animated poetry?
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Photo credit:
Billy Collins. Photo by Marcelo Noah (http://www.flickr.com/photos/10381539@N03/3397761317/) [CC By 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Billy Collins is one of my favorite poets! Thanks for sharing the animations--I hadn't seen them before. :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed them!
DeleteIt's amazing how technology...the videos...can bring a whole new dimension and enjoyment to music and poetry. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
DeleteI agree with what you said about technology, and I hope it helps to bring more people to poetry.
The animations are great and fit nicely with the poems.
ReplyDeleteI think so, too. :)
DeleteI have to admit, I haven't heard of him; I like poetry but I don't specifically read poetry. Might have to change that down the road.....
ReplyDeletewill come back and check these videos out with his poetry when I have a bit more time :)
betty
I think you'll enjoy them. The animators did a great job of bringing Collins' words to life. :)
DeleteThe animated poetry is pretty interesting. I am very visual so I find this less boring! Amazing how you are able to write an entry everyday! Where do you get the topics?
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked the videos!
DeleteAs far as topics go, I just pull them out of my mind. :)
Thanks!
I'm embarrassed to say that I don't know much about poetry at all. I've heard a few famous quotes now and then - but it's not something I've gone into. These videos were really nice though - I enjoyed seeing the poems as well as hearing them :-)
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked them! :)
Deletethats awesome! what a great idea! might have to try it!
ReplyDeleteAnimating poetry? It looks like a lot of fun. Unfortunately, I'm no artist. LOL
DeleteI hope you give it a try! :)
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ReplyDeleteSorry--I posted and somehow half my comment was gone? Blogger!
ReplyDeleteI don't keep up with the poetry world and had never heard of him, sorry to say. I LOVED the animated poems. Especially the last one about forgetfulness (probably because my memory is becoming spotty--LOL!) and the dead in the glass bottom boat in heaven. He certainly has his own sense of dry humor. I think I will have to check out some more of his work. Thanks!! :)
Yet another Blogger issue...
DeleteI'm starting to relate to the forgetfulness one, too. ;)
I'm not much of a poet myself, but I can appreciate those who write them. Animated poetry looks fun. Words into art in more ways than one.
ReplyDeleteWhat a YOU way to end your MAYbe challenge. I can't wait to see where you go next.
ReplyDeleteThanks! :)
DeleteNice posting. I like Mother Theresa's poem, Do it Anyway. My mom has a lot of Helen Steiner Rice books of poetry. Enjoyed reading your post.
ReplyDeletei enjoyed his poetry--as i have told you, i adore poetry--it is probably my first love in writing---two of my favorite poets are keats and mia angelo----my favorite poem is "i shall not pass this way again" by eva rose york--very nice post
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lynn. You mentioned some wonderful poets. :)
DeleteThese are really neat animations! I think I like the poem "The Country" the best. But, I could sense some ancient Chinese poetry influence in the first one. Surprisingly, I'm a little familiar with ancient Chinese poetry, lol.
ReplyDeleteThat's really cool. Did you study Chinese poetry?
DeleteI've never come across animated poetry before but it looks like a lot of fun. I've got a little award for you over at http://justermie.blogspot.co.uk. :-)
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed them! Thanks for the award. :)
DeleteI've been a fan of his, but have never stumbled upon animated versions of his poems. Awesome. Loved the mice one best.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit to my place, and very nice to finally make it to yours. I appreciate the follow.
http://kmdlifeisgood.blogspot.com/
I'm glad you're here. :)
DeleteThanks for the follow.
I love the animated poetry! I also love rats :)
ReplyDeleteI love the animation but can do without the rats and mice. ;)
DeleteI'm going to have to come back to review the animation, but I love Billy Collins. I found him a little over a year ago, and fell in love with the way he looks at the world.
ReplyDeleteI also just found out about Ted Kooser only a few months ago. I'm reading a book of his on writing poetry, and I love both his poetry and prose style.
I'll admit that I love Kooser more than Collins, but both of them are very good. I recently read Kooser's memoir and absolutely loved it.
DeleteThere's something for you on my blog...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jaycee!
Deletemy husband and son and daughter love poetry...they are always trying to talk me into liking it..haven't convinced me yet.
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteHave you shown them these animations? I'm curious to know what they think.
I enjoyed watching those. I haven't seen many animated poems. I saw a couple of Maurice Sendak's poems -Chicken Soup With Rice was pretty good. I've often thought that Shel Silversein's work would be fun if it was animated.
ReplyDeleteI actually came across some animations of Shel Silverstein's work here: Animated Children's Books.
DeleteI haven't seen "Chicken Soup With Rice." I'll look for it. :)
The Billy Collins poems are wonderful and the animation so perfect. I need to look up some of his poetry. I really want to get back to writing poetry. It may inspire me. Thanks, Dana!
ReplyDeleteTed Kooser is my favorite modern poet. Have you read any of his work?
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