'The Best Cigarette' by Billy Collins

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There are many that I miss
having sent my last one out a car window
sparking along the road one night, years ago.The heralded one, of course:
after sex, the two glowing tips
now the lights of a single ship;
at the end of a long dinner
with more wine to come
and a smoke ring coasting into the chandelier;
or on a white beach,
holding one with fingers still wet from a swim.How bittersweet these punctuations
of flame and gesture;
but the best were on those mornings
when I would have a little something going
in the typewriter,
the sun bright in the windows,
maybe some Berlioz on in the background.
I would go into the kitchen for coffee
and on the way back to the page,
curled in its roller,
I would light one up and feel
its dry rush mix with the dark taste of coffee.Then I would be my own locomotive,
trailing behind me as I returned to work
little puffs of smoke,
indicators of progress,
signs of industry and thought,
the signal that told the nineteenth century
it was moving forward.
That was the best cigarette,
when I would steam into the study
full of vaporous hope
and stand there,
the big headlamp of my face
pointed down at all the words in parallel lines.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Best Cigarette: A Critical Analysis

Have you ever read a poem that made you feel like you were having a conversation with the author? That's exactly what Billy Collins achieves in his poem "The Best Cigarette." In this literary masterpiece, Collins uses his conversational tone to explore the theme of addiction and the power of memory. With every line, he paints a vivid picture of his life as a smoker and the bittersweet memories that come with it.

The Tone

Right from the start, Collins sets the tone for the poem with the opening line, "There are many that I miss." This simple statement immediately draws the reader in and creates a sense of intimacy. It's as if the poet is confiding in us, sharing his personal thoughts and feelings. The conversational tone continues throughout the poem, making it feel like he's speaking directly to us.

The Theme of Addiction

One of the key themes of the poem is addiction. Collins reflects on his years as a smoker and the hold that cigarettes had on him. He says, "I would lean against the wall and smoke / and smoke, / holding a cigarette / that dangled / between my fingers." The repetition of "smoke" emphasizes his addiction and the fact that he couldn't stop.

The poet also highlights the irony of addiction. He calls cigarettes "the worst kind of drug" but also "the best cigarette" he ever had. This paradoxical statement shows the reader how addiction can be both pleasurable and destructive at the same time. It's a theme that many readers can relate to, whether they've struggled with smoking or any other addiction.

The Power of Memory

Another important theme in the poem is the power of memory. Collins reflects on the memories that smoking evokes, both good and bad. He reminisces about smoking with friends and lovers, but also recalls the negative aspects of smoking, such as the smell and the health risks.

One of the most powerful lines in the poem is, "The first time I smoked / was on a hill in Connecticut." This line is significant because it shows how memories can be tied to specific places and experiences. The poet is transported back to that moment on the hill, and the reader can feel the nostalgia and longing in his words.

The Use of Imagery

Collins uses vivid imagery throughout the poem to bring the reader into his world. He describes the cigarette smoke as "rising like the soul of the dead" and "curling in on itself." These descriptions create a sense of atmosphere and add to the overall mood of the poem.

The use of sensory language is also prevalent in the poem. The poet describes the taste of cigarettes as "bitter" and the smell as "acrid." These sensory details make the poem more relatable and help the reader visualize the scenes described.

The Structure of the Poem

The structure of the poem is also worth noting. It consists of four stanzas, each with a different number of lines. The varying line lengths create a sense of rhythm and flow, making the poem feel like a conversation.

The poem is also written in free verse, meaning it doesn't follow a strict rhyme or meter. This allows the poet to focus on the language and imagery rather than conforming to a specific structure.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Best Cigarette" is a masterful exploration of addiction and memory. Through his conversational tone, vivid imagery, and powerful themes, Billy Collins creates a poem that is both relatable and thought-provoking. Whether you're a smoker or not, this poem is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who reads it.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions, stir up memories, and transport us to different worlds. One such poem that has captured the hearts of many is "The Best Cigarette" by Billy Collins. This poem is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the nature of addiction, love, and loss. In this article, we will delve deep into the meaning and significance of this classic piece of poetry.

The poem begins with the speaker stating that he has quit smoking, but he still misses the feeling of holding a cigarette. He compares this feeling to the sensation of holding a lover's hand. This comparison sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which explores the complex relationship between addiction and love.

The speaker then goes on to describe the different types of cigarettes he has smoked in his life. He talks about the cheap cigarettes he smoked as a teenager, the expensive ones he smoked as an adult, and the ones he smoked while traveling. Each cigarette, he says, had its own unique flavor and memories associated with it. This description is a powerful metaphor for the different experiences we have in life and how they shape us as individuals.

As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on the addictive nature of cigarettes. He describes how he would smoke one cigarette after another, never satisfied with just one. This addiction, he says, is similar to the way we crave love and affection from others. We are never satisfied with just a little bit of love; we always want more.

The speaker then goes on to describe the feeling of smoking a cigarette. He talks about the way the smoke feels in his lungs and the way it makes him feel relaxed and content. This description is a powerful reminder of the allure of addiction. Even though we know that smoking is bad for us, we still crave the feeling it gives us.

The poem then takes a darker turn as the speaker reflects on the loss of a loved one. He talks about how he would smoke cigarettes to cope with the pain of losing someone. This is a powerful reminder of the way addiction can be used as a coping mechanism. When we are faced with difficult emotions, we often turn to addictive behaviors to help us cope.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. The speaker reflects on the fact that even though he has quit smoking, he still misses it. He compares this feeling to the way he misses his lost loved one. This comparison is a powerful reminder of the way addiction can become a part of our identity. Even though we may try to quit, we will always carry the memories and feelings associated with our addiction with us.

In conclusion, "The Best Cigarette" is a powerful and poignant reflection on the nature of addiction, love, and loss. Through its beautiful metaphors and vivid descriptions, the poem reminds us of the complex relationship between addiction and love. It is a powerful reminder of the way addiction can become a part of our identity and the way it can be used as a coping mechanism. This poem is a true masterpiece of poetry and a testament to the power of words to evoke emotions and touch our souls.

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