'Madmen' by Billy Collins

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They say you can jinx a poem
if you talk about it before it is done.
If you let it out too early, they warn,
your poem will fly away,
and this time they are absolutely right.Take the night I mentioned to you
I wanted to write about the madmen,
as the newspapers so blithely call them,
who attack art, not in reviews,
but with breadknives and hammers
in the quiet museums of Prague and Amsterdam.Actually, they are the real artists,
you said, spinning the ice in your glass.
The screwdriver is their brush.
The real vandals are the restorers,
you went on, slowly turning me upside-down,
the ones in the white doctor's smocks
who close the wound in the landscape,
and thus ruin the true art of the mad.I watched my poem fly down to the front
of the bar and hover there
until the next customer walked in--
then I watched it fly out the open door into the night
and sail away, I could only imagine,
over the dark tenements of the city.All I had wished to say
was that art was also short,
as a razor can teach with a slash or two,
that it only seems long compared to life,
but that night, I drove home alone
with nothing swinging in the cage of my heart
except the faint hope that I might
catch a glimpse of the thing
in the fan of my headlights,
maybe perched on a road sign or a street lamp,
poor unwritten bird, its wings folded,
staring down at me with tiny illuminated eyes.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Madmen: A Literary Criticism by Billy Collins

Oh boy, oh boy, where do I even begin with this gem of a poetry collection? Madmen by Billy Collins is a masterpiece that explores the human condition with wit, humor, and insight. From the first poem to the last, Collins takes us on a journey through the mind of a madman, or maybe even several madmen, as we're never quite sure whose voice we're hearing. It's a collection that challenges us to think deeply about our own sanity and the nature of reality.

A Collection of Voices

One of the most striking things about Madmen is the way in which the poems are structured. They are not all written in the same voice or from the same perspective. Instead, Collins gives us a series of monologues from different characters, all of whom seem to be struggling with mental health issues. We hear from a man who has lost his memory, a woman who is convinced she's being followed, and a man who is haunted by his own reflection. Each voice is distinct and fully realized, and yet they all share a common thread of madness.

But what is madness, exactly? Collins doesn't offer a clear definition, but rather allows us to explore the concept through the experiences of his characters. One of the most haunting poems in the collection is "The Afterlife," in which a man imagines what it would be like to be dead. He envisions himself as a "ghostly figure / wandering through abandoned streets," and wonders if this is what it means to be truly mad. It's a chilling thought, and one that lingers long after the poem is finished.

The Power of Language

Another theme that runs throughout Madmen is the power of language. Collins is a master of words, and he uses them to great effect in these poems. One of the most striking examples is "The Art of Drowning," in which a man is drowning and reflects on the beauty of the underwater world. He describes the "green silence" and the way the sunlight filters through the water. The language is beautiful and hypnotic, and it's easy to imagine oneself sinking into the depths along with the speaker.

But language can also be used to deceive or confuse. In "The History Teacher," Collins tells the story of a teacher who alters history to make it more palatable for his students. He changes the ending of Romeo and Juliet so that they don't die, and he tells his students that the Vietnam War was fought to "stop the spread of Communism." This manipulation of language is a form of madness in itself, and it's a warning about the dangers of living in a world where truth is constantly being distorted.

The Fragility of Reality

Perhaps the most profound theme in Madmen is the fragility of reality itself. Collins is a master of creating a sense of unease and uncertainty, and many of these poems leave the reader questioning what is real and what is not. In "The Dead," for example, a man imagines that he is dead and that his wife is mourning him. He watches her from a distance as she goes about her daily life, and wonders if he ever really existed at all. It's a powerful meditation on the nature of existence, and it leaves us with more questions than answers.

This sense of uncertainty is heightened by Collins' use of imagery. In "The Night House," for example, the speaker describes a house that is always in darkness. He imagines that inside there are "cobwebs everywhere, / and bats with leather wings." The image is creepy and unsettling, and it's not clear whether the house is a real place or a figment of the speaker's imagination. This sense of ambiguity is one of the things that makes Madmen such a compelling read.

Final Thoughts

Madmen is a poetry collection that defies easy categorization. It's funny, haunting, and profound all at once, and it raises questions about the nature of reality and the fragility of our own sanity. Collins' use of language is masterful, and he creates a series of voices that are both distinct and universal. If you're looking for a poetry collection that will make you think and feel, then Madmen is a must-read.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Madmen: A Masterpiece by Billy Collins

If you are a fan of poetry, then you must have heard of Billy Collins. He is a renowned American poet who has won numerous awards for his work. One of his most famous poems is Poetry Madmen, which was published in 1996. In this article, we will take a closer look at this masterpiece and analyze its meaning and significance.

The poem starts with the line, "In the early evening, a now and then car goes by." This line sets the tone for the entire poem. It is a quiet and peaceful evening, and the only sound is the occasional car passing by. However, the poem is not about the evening or the cars. It is about the poets who are "madmen" for their love of poetry.

The second stanza of the poem introduces us to the poets. They are "madmen" because they are obsessed with poetry. They spend their days and nights reading and writing poetry. They are so consumed by their love of poetry that they are willing to sacrifice everything else in their lives for it. They are "madmen" because they are willing to go to great lengths to pursue their passion.

The third stanza of the poem describes the poets' obsession with language. They are fascinated by the way words sound and the way they can be arranged to create meaning. They are constantly searching for new ways to express themselves through language. They are "madmen" because they are willing to spend hours, days, and even years perfecting a single poem.

The fourth stanza of the poem describes the poets' relationship with the world around them. They see the world through the lens of poetry. They are constantly searching for inspiration in the world around them. They see beauty in the mundane and the ordinary. They are "madmen" because they are willing to see the world in a different way than most people.

The fifth stanza of the poem describes the poets' relationship with each other. They are a community of "madmen" who share a common love of poetry. They support each other and inspire each other. They are "madmen" because they are willing to be part of a community that is often misunderstood and undervalued.

The final stanza of the poem brings the poem full circle. The "now and then car" from the first stanza returns. However, this time it is different. The poets have transformed the evening into something magical. The car is now "a chariot of light" that carries the poets' words into the world. The poets have turned the ordinary into something extraordinary.

So, what is the significance of this poem? Poetry Madmen is a celebration of the power of poetry. It is a tribute to the poets who are willing to devote their lives to this art form. It is a reminder that poetry has the power to transform the ordinary into something extraordinary. It is a call to all of us to see the world through the lens of poetry.

In conclusion, Poetry Madmen is a masterpiece by Billy Collins. It is a beautiful and powerful poem that celebrates the power of poetry. It is a tribute to the poets who are willing to devote their lives to this art form. It is a reminder that poetry has the power to transform the ordinary into something extraordinary. It is a call to all of us to see the world through the lens of poetry. If you haven't read this poem yet, I highly recommend that you do. It is a true work of art.

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