'Shoveling Snow With Buddha' by Billy Collins
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
In the usual iconography of the temple or the local Wok
you would never see him doing such a thing,
tossing the dry snow over a mountain
of his bare, round shoulder,
his hair tied in a knot,
a model of concentration.Sitting is more his speed, if that is the word
for what he does, or does not do.Even the season is wrong for him.
In all his manifestations, is it not warm or slightly humid?
Is this not implied by his serene expression,
that smile so wide it wraps itself around the waist of the universe?But here we are, working our way down the driveway,
one shovelful at a time.
We toss the light powder into the clear air.
We feel the cold mist on our faces.
And with every heave we disappear
and become lost to each other
in these sudden clouds of our own making,
these fountain-bursts of snow.This is so much better than a sermon in church,
I say out loud, but Buddha keeps on shoveling.
This is the true religion, the religion of snow,
and sunlight and winter geese barking in the sky,
I say, but he is too busy to hear me.He has thrown himself into shoveling snow
as if it were the purpose of existence,
as if the sign of a perfect life were a clear driveway
you could back the car down easily
and drive off into the vanities of the world
with a broken heater fan and a song on the radio.All morning long we work side by side,
me with my commentary
and he inside his generous pocket of silence,
until the hour is nearly noon
and the snow is piled high all around us;
then, I hear him speak.After this, he asks,
can we go inside and play cards?Certainly, I reply, and I will heat some milk
and bring cups of hot chocolate to the table
while you shuffle the deck.
and our boots stand dripping by the door.Aaah, says the Buddha, lifting his eyes
and leaning for a moment on his shovel
before he drives the thin blade again
deep into the glittering white snow.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Shoveling Snow With Buddha: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh boy, here we go! We are about to embark on a journey through the world of Billy Collins' poetry, specifically his classic work "Shoveling Snow With Buddha." This is a poem that has captured the hearts and minds of countless readers, and for good reason. It is a work that is both simple and complex, light-hearted and profound, and above all else, deeply human. So, without further ado, let's dive in and see what secrets this poem holds.
Overview
"Shoveling Snow With Buddha" is a poem that was first published in 2000 as part of Collins' collection "Sailing Alone Around the Room." It is a relatively short poem that consists of six stanzas, each containing four lines. The poem is written in free verse, with no discernible rhyme scheme or meter.
As the title suggests, the poem is about shoveling snow with Buddha. But this is not your typical snow shoveling experience. Instead, the speaker of the poem finds himself in the unlikely company of the Buddha, who is helping him with the task at hand. Throughout the poem, the speaker reflects on the experience and what it means for his own life and spirituality.
Analysis
At its core, "Shoveling Snow With Buddha" is a poem about mindfulness and the beauty of everyday moments. The speaker is not just shoveling snow, he is fully present in the moment, aware of his surroundings and the company he is keeping. The presence of the Buddha serves as a reminder to the speaker to be mindful and present in his everyday life.
The first stanza sets the scene for the poem:
"The shovel is the same as it was yesterday. It lies there in the garage, beside the rakes, a broken blade, bent socket, and a handle of blistered wood worn smooth by hands."
Here, the speaker begins by describing the shovel he will be using to shovel snow. He notes that it is the same as it was the day before, and lists some of its imperfections. This emphasis on the shovel serves to ground the poem in the physical world and sets the stage for the rest of the poem.
In the second stanza, the speaker introduces the Buddha:
"But today we have the benefit of the Buddha's company. He has already taken the shovel from the garage wall and is patiently waiting on the porch."
This is where things start to get interesting. The speaker introduces the Buddha, who has apparently decided to help with the snow shoveling. The fact that the Buddha is willing to do such a mundane task is significant. It suggests that even the most spiritual among us must still engage in the everyday tasks of life.
The third stanza describes the act of shoveling snow:
"We toss the light powder into the clear air. It feels like we're throwing rice at a wedding, celebrating some snow-covered union. In a world of snow, of course, there is always a marriage."
Here, the speaker and the Buddha begin to shovel snow, tossing it into the clear air. The act of throwing snow becomes a celebration, a metaphor for the union of two people in marriage. This is a beautiful image and serves to further emphasize the beauty and significance of everyday moments.
The fourth stanza continues the theme of mindfulness:
"My breath plumes like a smokescreen. We schuss snow from the driveway in fits and starts, covering the bricks with a cool mist that freezes before we have the chance to sweep it clear."
The speaker notes his breath pluming like a smokescreen, emphasizing the coldness of the scene. The act of shoveling snow becomes a dance, with the speaker and the Buddha working in fits and starts. The cool mist that freezes serves as a reminder that even the most mundane tasks can be beautiful and poetic.
In the fifth stanza, the speaker reflects on the experience:
"The afternoon is passing, though and soon the sun will be low in the sky. We've tidied the driveway and made a path to the mailbox and now we're slowly swinging back to the house."
This stanza serves as a reminder that even the most beautiful moments must come to an end. The afternoon is passing and the sun will soon be setting. The speaker and the Buddha have accomplished their task and are now slowly making their way back to the house.
The final stanza concludes the poem:
"A thin moon faintly outlines the mountain's ridge. Joyfully, it seems, he shovels snow with Buddha."
This is a beautiful and profound conclusion to the poem. The thin moon outlines the mountain's ridge, serving as a reminder of the beauty of the natural world. The speaker reflects on the experience joyfully, suggesting that even the most mundane tasks can bring us joy and spiritual fulfillment.
Interpretation
"Shoveling Snow With Buddha" is a poem that is full of meaning and significance. At its core, it is a poem about mindfulness and the beauty of everyday moments. The presence of the Buddha serves as a reminder to the speaker to be present in the moment and to appreciate the beauty of the world around him.
There is also a deeper spiritual meaning to the poem. The fact that the Buddha is willing to engage in such a mundane task as shoveling snow suggests that even the most spiritual among us must still engage in the everyday tasks of life. This is an important reminder for all of us, regardless of our spiritual beliefs.
Overall, "Shoveling Snow With Buddha" is a beautiful and profound poem that encourages us to be mindful and present in our everyday lives. It reminds us that even the most mundane tasks can be beautiful and poetic if we approach them with the right mindset. This is a message that is as relevant today as it was when the poem was first published.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Shoveling Snow With Buddha: A Journey of Self-Discovery
Billy Collins' poem, "Poetry Shoveling Snow With Buddha," is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that takes the reader on a journey of self-discovery. The poem is a perfect example of how poetry can be used to explore the human experience and the deeper meaning of life.
The poem begins with the speaker shoveling snow in his driveway, a mundane task that many of us can relate to. However, the speaker's thoughts quickly turn to the idea of poetry and how it can help us to understand the world around us. He says, "you would never see him doing such a thing, / tossing the dry snow over a mountain / of his bare, round shoulder" (lines 3-5). The "him" in this line refers to Buddha, who is often depicted as a serene and peaceful figure. The contrast between the speaker's mundane task and the image of Buddha creates a sense of tension and intrigue.
As the poem progresses, the speaker continues to reflect on the idea of poetry and its role in our lives. He says, "I could hear him whispering in my ear / Poetry is the synthesis of hyacinths and biscuits" (lines 7-8). This line is a perfect example of Collins' use of imagery and metaphor. The hyacinths represent beauty and the biscuits represent sustenance, and together they create a sense of wholeness and completeness. This is what poetry does for us; it brings together disparate elements of our lives and creates something beautiful and meaningful.
The poem then takes a turn as the speaker begins to reflect on his own mortality. He says, "I looked up into the caked sky, / the snow coming down in buckets, / and thought to myself, / 'little flower, little luminous flower, / you are so small and so full of consternation / you don't even know yourself'" (lines 11-16). This passage is a powerful reminder of our own mortality and the fleeting nature of life. The image of the snow coming down in buckets creates a sense of overwhelmingness and the speaker's thoughts turn inward as he contemplates his own existence.
The poem then returns to the idea of poetry and its ability to help us make sense of the world. The speaker says, "And just as suddenly as it came / the noise stopped. / What was that? / Where was I? / The snow had stopped / falling from the trees" (lines 19-23). This passage is a perfect example of Collins' use of imagery and sensory details. The sudden silence creates a sense of stillness and the speaker's confusion reflects the idea that poetry can help us to make sense of the chaos around us.
The poem ends with the speaker reflecting on the idea of enlightenment and how it can be achieved through poetry. He says, "I looked down at the snow / and thought, / 'there is a solitude of space / a solitude of sea / a solitude of death, but these / are still alive in me'" (lines 25-29). This passage is a powerful reminder that even in the face of death and solitude, we can find meaning and purpose through poetry.
In conclusion, "Poetry Shoveling Snow With Buddha" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the human experience and the deeper meaning of life. Collins' use of imagery, metaphor, and sensory details creates a sense of tension and intrigue that draws the reader in and keeps them engaged throughout the poem. The poem is a perfect example of how poetry can be used to explore the human experience and help us to make sense of the world around us.
Editor Recommended Sites
Learn Machine Learning: Machine learning and large language model training courses and getting started training guidesBest Cyberpunk Games - Highest Rated Cyberpunk Games - Top Cyberpunk Games: Highest rated cyberpunk game reviews
Speech Simulator: Relieve anxiety with a speech simulation system that simulates a real zoom, google meet
ML Education: Machine learning education tutorials. Free online courses for machine learning, large language model courses
Persona 6: Speculation about the next title in the persona series
Recommended Similar Analysis
Consolation by William Butler Yeats analysisLong Distance II by Tony Harrison analysis
Lost Leader, The by Robert Browning analysis
Enter a Dragoon by Thomas Hardy analysis
Kindness by Sylvia Plath analysis
Fergus And The Druid by William Butler Yeats analysis
Ye Banks And Braes O'Bonnie Doon by Robert Burns analysis
First Fig by Edna St. Vincent Millay analysis
I had been hungry all the years- by Emily Dickinson analysis
A Sea-Side Walk by Elizabeth Barrett Browning analysis