Billy Collins: Everyday moments, caught in time
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- Опубликовано: 22 мар 2012
- www.ted.com Combining dry wit with artistic depth, Billy Collins shares a project in which several of his poems were turned into delightful animated films in a collaboration with Sundance Channel. Five of them are included in this wonderfully entertaining and moving talk -- and don't miss the hilarious final poem!
Credits for the animations in this talk:
"Budapest," "Forgetfulness" and "Some Days" -- animation by Julian Grey/Head Gear
"The Country" -- animation by Brady Baltezor/Radium
"The Dead" -- animation by Juan Delcan/Spontaneous
More at: www.bcactionpoet.org
TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. Featured speakers have included Al Gore on climate change, Philippe Starck on design, Jill Bolte Taylor on observing her own stroke, Nicholas Negroponte on One Laptop per Child, Jane Goodall on chimpanzees, Bill Gates on malaria and mosquitoes, Pattie Maes on the "Sixth Sense" wearable tech, and "Lost" producer JJ Abrams on the allure of mystery. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and TEDTalks cover these topics as well as science, business, development and the arts. Closed captions and translated subtitles in a variety of languages are now available on TED.com, at www.ted.com/translate
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Upon reading the comments, I am reminded of another Billy Collins' poem:
I ask them to take a poem
and hold it up to the light
like a color slide
or press an ear against its hive.
I say drop a mouse into a poem
and watch him probe his way out,
or walk inside the poem's room
and feel the walls for a light switch.
I want them to waterski
across the surface of a poem
waving at the author's name on the shore.
But all they want to do
is tie the poem to a chair with rope
and torture a confession out of it.
They begin beating it with a hose
to find out what it really means.
I give this introduction to poetry to my classes to let them know we're not looking for "the meaning" but to walk along in the poem's footsteps, smell it, feel it, and realize it's the images that come to you during the poem as much as the words that inspire the images. They are relieved, mostly, but sometimes need reminders when they can't figure out "the meaning."
A COOL PLACE
I go out in the morning and rub my eyes.
Who knows what to tell the day?
Some know what to order immediately,
they recognize each other, what is to sell.
I walk under the peach sky on Aura Street
and my thoughts stick from leaf to post
in happy webs. For those who are like me
it’s clear the bells have outrung themselves.
For a while there’s room in the city.
Who knows the nature of this pleasure must know me.
A corner of being neither fence nor tree nor peach sky.
My young children know it every day
but it’s hard being older to keep from holding
all of everything in a blind embrace.
I want to hold a single thing.
It’s time to enter a cool place where only a piece
exists, a beer, a chair,
the intimate hands of one person dangerously one person.
To ask, will you sit near me? To say, you’re not everyone.
Al Kammerer I felt so lucky that I only listened to (as I was on my way to sleep) and didn’t view this. I really love what you say, and there lies some proof of it...I had immense enjoyment from just conjuring images listening to his sublime stories. Wonderful animation, though.
One of my favorite poets ever. The simpleness of his work is just beautiful, reflecting reality in such a fun and care free way.
The "Forgetfulness" poem hit me hard, as someone with semi-serious memory problems due to depression. I don't remember most of the books I've read. Every time I reread a book, it's like reading it for the first time. Same with movies or other stories. I've looked in old pictures and wondered whose shoulders I have my arm around and why I seemed so happy. I sometimes forget where I'm walking to when I'm walking. To see a poem address that gave me chills...but I will probably forget the poem soon.
Here's a suggestion: Before watching the animation for a poem, close your eyes and simply listen to him read the poem. Then back up the cursor and watch the animation as he reads it.
I like the animations. They're clever. But the first time through, I prefer just the words.
"If at first you don't succeed, hide all evidence you ever tried" 4:40
He is writing about everything he notices like Charles Bukowski do. I do the same thing now and amazing poems are coming out
I love the artistry and humor of Billy Collin's poetry. In this talk his poems are paired with interesting animation.
The story of his friendship reminded me of the bed time story : The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse, so innocent and nice.
"Budapest" reminds me slightly of Shamus Heaney's "Digging" if it were transported to America.
This was great. Thanks.
I just realized that the last poem to the 17 y/o girl is about his daughter ! I'd read it before, but I failed to grasp the fact . Billy is one of my favorite poets, along with Mary Oliver, whose "The Kitten" is my favorite poem .
What an interesting talk, and I have to confess that his references to being poet laureate made me smile! I am based in the UK and haven't come across Billy Collins before but I love the animations blended with his poems.
I love seeing these poems come to life, even if it is visually different from what lived in my mind when I first read them.
That wonderful Budapest poem was crashed into by a RUclips disturbance in friggin Spanish. A POX on YT! I love Billy Collins and any poet or poet-to-be can find nourishment and inspiration in his genius.
This author is wonderfully talented and not full of himself at the same time. Very interesting idea; yet another of his innovations to keep this art medium current and attract new admirers to it.
It is amazing how Billy Collins takes simplicity and makes it simple.
I am so glad that TED got Billy Collins. I love his poetry!
they should make a channel for his poems and animations
I have never enjoyed poetry this much!!! He is a legend
That last one was just too awesome.
The poem at the end... Made my day!
We are lucky to have Billy Collins.
what an inspiration
I never figured I would truly enjoy poetry! Thank you, Mr. Collins. I now what a "poet laureate" is :-) ...Kudos!
you've chosen a great poet to listen to. he is a national treasure!
Night House by Collins is one of my favourites.
Last poem was a beauty!
Poetry if for authors with the ability to sum up a whole song or novel in a gorgeously concise fashion. It is a true art form like any other and has inspired me equally as much as my prose and song writings. I see no reason to be putting out so much negativity. The Arts need more positive and passionate thinkers like Billy Collins and other artists to further the positive advancement of our human kind.
TED finally in HD!
Bravo! One of the best TED's ever!
I love "To my favorite 17-year-old high school girl", the way he shows parents' expectation to their child compared to the reality happening at their house is hilarious and relatable. Brilliant mind, Billy.
This is incredible. Very rewarding. Thank you.
This is so far the best ted talk for me.
Last Poem: Epic!
Not only is this poetry very prime, but it's in plain, understandable English. I applaud you, Billy Collins.
"There's a horror movie in there somewhere."
Dr. Who has it covered! S06E09 - "Night Terrors"
I love poetry, this is awesome.
the third poem was fantastic!
These shorts are really good.
LOVE this man
I'm still not entirely sure of whether art belongs on TED or not, but I really enjoyed these animated poems. Thanks!
What a treat to listen to!
I saw this video in school today.
Cool story bro... lol
How dare you make me think on my day off sir!
His poems are simple but profound
Poetry is just a fancy word used to describe someone who has nothing better to do, and nothing more to offer, than something he has decided is art, and has browbeaten everyone else in to thinking it's art as well. Anything can be poetry, any series of words can be beautiful. Why we laud these people is beyond me.
This is really good!
Beautiful
being a 17 year old girl myself....
damn that poem hit me!
Love it!
Great video!
A week ago, I was managing my playlist and saw poetry then wanted to delete it. I accidentally closed the page before deleting it. I only listen to these while working, and i thought "what if , when it gets on line, it will actually be good stuf?" then i shook my head because, you know, poetry, wtf can be good about that, i'll just delete it when I hear it.Now it came on the list, I skipped forward, i listened to it and kept on listening. it was good. And that is something.
Sounds like it got you before you had time to deploy your anti-poetry defense mechanism...
last poem starts at 12:30
i watched it from the start though.
I don't know what you're talking about, but I'm interested. What is called and who is it by? Do you mean Billy Collin's "Forgetting"? I think there is a line in there about sailing around the room, bouncing between book shelves or something
I don't know if you'll see this reply after 5 years. Maybe you are thinking of the opening lines of Billy Collins' "Lanyard":
The other day I was ricocheting slowly
off the blue walls of this room,
moving as if underwater from typewriter to piano,
from bookshelf to an envelope lying on the floor,
i normally dont care for poetry but his is beautiful
Awesome!
LOL never heard that last one, loved it, but I was sassily goin 'uh!" after everything he said. =pp
I really like Collins, but I am a big fan of the poetry he showed (maybe because I had time to put up my defenses). I did really like his country poem, and the last one reminded me of my dad.
Where does the last one appear in print??
Anyone who likes this should check out -- the art of drowning by billy collins -- it's by far the most successful combination of the two mediums, I think
I liked them all very much, but as a 17 year old girl the last poem made me more anxious than amused
How's it being a 23 yr old girl? This is coming from a 17 yr old girl.
how can i change the resolution to 240p? Can I enter a web address? Is there a command? Someone help! Please
Some videos aren't allowing me to choose 240p quality. And I have DSL, I need shitty quality to be able to view in real time (instead of waiting for the video to download)....
Still waiting for this to DL......
Please someone, teach me how to DL or view the 240p version.
I love Billy Collins💚❤💚❤
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I like this dude.
what about sailing around the room?
no volume? or is it me
Thanks for the video link.. ..But why me?
7:54 the River Lethe!
Mr Collins you have crippled my shields.
In youth I did not like poetry.
Once, I was given the choice between attending a smoke filled coffee house poetry slam and having my molars extracted.
Today I no longer am able to enjoy hearty grained breads.
Mr Collins you have destroyed my shields and have opened my eyes and ears,
I turn to my Number One and order a full about face.
My order is to proceed to the Collins universe at light-speed as all resistance is futile.
"Make it so, engage!"
Is he Steven Wright's brother?
Let's clarify something for you, TED is an acronym for Technology, Entertainment and Design. This talk I believe falls under entertainment. As would talks from Andrew Stanton, J.J. Abram's and David Blaine to name a few, which also highlights the fact that you mustn't have seen many TED talks at all. Additionally, to criticise this guys I.Q, brings to mind your own deficiencies.
Although you are entitled to your opinion, as narrow as they are :)
A fun presentation, but I wish he had given credit/recognition to the animator(s).
Nice...
This is not prose poetry. It's lyric free verse. The poems include line breaks, and are discursive enough to warrant separate stanzas. Though Collins often utilizes structured free verse (free verse in which each stanza has the same number of lines--something I find almost impossible to achieve) it is possible that these poems have a looser construction on the page. I have yet to read a Billy Collins poem which is formatted as a prose poem.
Direct hit.
first time in the history of entertainment that the screen writer gets all the credit. Yeah, the producer or director of this show should of had the old fella to introduce these shorts properly
Try Lethe
was that a poem?
i know what you mean, and i do agree, but i just see this more as book-material (for a lack of better term) than a song.. still the way of turning feeling and imagery into text is amazing, but thats just my opinion.. its good, i just find it wrongfully classified..
Please try to write several of this type of poem, perform it in public, send it out for publication. After these experiences, please comment, again. It's good to broaden one's horizons. Until then, a comment like, "I don't care for (or, perhaps, understand) these poems, or their purpose," might be both kinder and more appropriate. Thank you
boomer
How does a witty guy like that write such dull poetry?
Lieutenant. Remind me to explain to you the concept of the human ego.
Mr. Collins, your poems have all the excitement of a recommended dietary allowance.
Is this Billy Collins the same guy who use to box??
Same question.
I haven't watched the whole video yet but I have to say that the narrator could use a little more stressing. As nice as the poems are, he really sounds like that old speech robot youtube had a while ago.
0:15
I am amazed that 27 people disliked this.
10:25 Promouseous?
I hate poetry but this guy's writing is good.
That's the thing about poetry, I either fucking love it or I fucking hate it. In this case, it's the latter. I understand that people are going to like this. Well, there's also people like me.
"smoking and drinking" is that a typical poet thing?
Speaking for myself, they do come hand to hand; many times :)
@@ericavarela6754 Long tradition of debauched poets.
like the idea, should have gotten lil wayne to recite his poems though...this guy is definitely a better writer than verbalist
god bless wilfred owen ww1 soldier and poet.
no no no, dont get me wrong, im not saying this is easy etc. i just think of this more like storywriting than poetry... just my 2 cents, still, the man has talent ofc..
I'm not the only one who is now afraid of matches right?
His voice in the animation sounds like GLaDOS XD
I hate poetry, but this is pretty good.
Try wiki/Lethe and you'll see why you won't find it there.
I beg to differ :)
@Shark781227 Poetry is just rhyming? Wow, one of the most absurd statements I've ever heard. There's skill in meter and conveying images and emotions. All of which can be, and usually is done at its best without rhyming.
Bueller...Bueller...
totally agreed... this is just reading a story, not really poetry... without rhymes i dont really understand the skill taken to do it... (not saying anyone could write this, but come on...)