Subscribe: by Email | in Reader

On Turning Ten -- Billy Collins

Guest poem sent in by Gregory Marton
(Poem #1096) On Turning Ten
 The whole idea of it makes me feel
 like I'm coming down with something,
 something worse than any stomach ache
 or the headaches I get from reading in bad light--
 a kind of measles of the spirit,
 a mumps of the psyche,
 a disfiguring chicken pox of the soul.

 You tell me it is too early to be looking back,
 but that is because you have forgotten
 the perfect simplicity of being one
 and the beautiful complexity introduced by two.
 But I can lie on my bed and remember every digit.
 At four I was an Arabian wizard.
 I could make myself invisible
 by drinking a glass of milk a certain way.
 At seven I was a soldier, at nine a prince.

 But now I am mostly at the window
 watching the late afternoon light.
 Back then it never fell so solemnly
 against the side of my tree house,
 and my bicycle never leaned against the garage
 as it does today,
 all the dark blue speed drained out of it.

 This is the beginning of sadness, I say to myself,
 as I walk through the universe in my sneakers.
 It is time to say good-bye to my imaginary friends,
 time to turn the first big number.

 It seems only yesterday I used to believe
 there was nothing under my skin but light.
 If you cut me I could shine.
 But now when I fall upon the sidewalks of life,
 I skin my knees. I bleed.
-- Billy Collins
A very new friend, quickly becoming someone I feel like I've known my whole
life, sent me yesterday's poem, Litany in one of our first exchanges of
email, and so introduced me to our poet laureate.  I laughed and enjoyed it
and started to explore his other work online.  I found his imagined children
comforting, and his flawed adults familiar.  On Turning Ten was my favorite
and with it I replied.

Where Litany had beautifully caricatured beauty (of which Atwood's
'Variations on the word "sleep"'[Poem #1093] was a delightful example), On
Turning Ten reminds us that we each have it inside.  We sat on a sailboat
yesterday immersed in wonder, and she said if you would cut her today, she'd
shine.  So, indeed, would I.

Warmest wishes,
Gremio

37 comments: ( or Leave a comment )

John Burstow said...

Comment by John B: In Eden nothing is banal, and no one there is to be
patronized. I like Collins' poem when it remembers this, and don't like
it when it forgets. I like the serious respect with which the boy looks
back at his former selves, capturing One, Two, and Four especially well,
and I imagine the adult poet is attempting the same seriousness when he
tries to "catch" the Boy at Ten. But there are a few places where the
banal and the patronizing come through, especially the last two lines. I
find skinning one's knees on "the sidewalks of life" self-demeaning and
life-demeaning in a way that particular ten-year-old would never be.
They are lines that play for the adult's indulgent smile-it's not like
you're going to die from skinned knees, eh?--and this wonderfully
visual, almost-good laureate should regret them

As for the not easily forgotten image of the preceding three lines,

It seems only yesterday I used to believe

there was nothing under my skin but light.

If you cut me I could shine.

do they not remind you of certain Salvador Dali paintings? (The line
between Dali and Norman Rockwell can sometimes be thin.)

Peter Henderson SNL Financial said...

1) Mr. Burstow calls the poet "almost-good." Get back!
2) I agree with Mr. Burstow on there being a certain slackness -- my words,
not his -- to the characterizations of ages seven and nine.
3) The knee skinning image must be taken together with "if you cut me I
would shine." Perhaps the real defect is the insertion of the words "of
life" after sidewalks. Would it read better that way? After all, we don't
want to oppose light to warey-gorey either.

Peter Henderson

RubinS said...

In my high school English class, we just read the Shelley Poem "Ode to the
West Wind" (#329), in which appears the line: "I fall upon the thorns of
life! I bleed! "
Does anyone think that the end of this poem is a reference to Shelley?
Sarah

Lynnette Dixon said...

Maybe this poem is meant for ordinary people like me, who are not clever enough to analyse and dissect the work of others, and are unfortunate enough to take things at face value. As one of them I love it. I also love the simplistic joy that comes from being one of them.

Peter

Scott Nicolson said...

I had the delightful experience of hearing the poet read this work
on the air during a lecture series broadcast by the local NPR station.
Therefore, I 've got a leg up on you fine cultural interpreters.
This was not primarily a reflection of losing the magic of youth, although
that feeling is certainly captured. It is the artist's parody of a work he
heard,
something along the lines of "Reflections On Turning 80" or some such;
these
self-serious reflections placed in the mouth of the world-weary 10-year
old, mourning
his lost youth, regretting the harsh coldness of the coming world he will
be powerless
to stave off. Satire, people!

If you cut me, it takes me quite awhile to notice.

sn

xlpharmacy said...

I have to be grateful to the Internet because I can read some interesting poems and I like the way that you give space to new writers

Ideas de negocios said...

Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, but I am firmly convinced of this and love to learn more about the subject. If possible, acquire knowledge, would you update your blog with more information? It is very helpful to me

Curcumin said...

Curcumin, a derivative of turmeric, may have potential cancer treatment properties especially for glioblastoma, a fatal type of brain cancer

Adam said...

Very significant article for us ,I think the representation of this article is actually superb one. This is my first visit to your site.
locksmith nyc

Dieta Online said...

Really you have done great job,There are may person searching about that now they will find enough resources by your post.I like this blog..

Buy Medicine said...

Thanks for such a great post and the review, I am totally impressed! Keep stuff like this coming.

Locksmith Dc said...

VERY clever, I would never have thought of re-creating spaghetti-0's, but I'll bet the grandkids will love them.

roadside assistance in richardson said...

I am happy when reading your blog with updated information! thanks alot and hope that you will post more site that are related to this site.

Zoloft Antidepressant said...

We, no matter how though depressed, don't give up on your dream, perhaps the hope is just ahead. Depend on oneself dream will have our own pride.

Anonymous said...

I really like Moms Coupons but I suggest that when you want to save money on tires you use tire coupons for car savings.

Vaginal Mesh MDL said...

Wonderful post. i'm looking out amazing news and plan. What I even have found from your website, it's truly extremely content. you've got spent long-standing for this post. it is a terribly helpful and attention-grabbing website. Thanks!

alat sex said...

saya suka bisa datang berkunjungi ke sini, dan mohon ijin sberbagi info tentang toko alat bantu, yg jual alat sex, alat bantu sex pria, alat bantu sex wanita.

Accredited GED Online said...

excellent work has done thanks for sharing and keep it up

denbagus said...

yes
Kumpulan Obat Ambeien Sudah Parah
Kumpulan Obat Ambeien Luar Sudah Parah
Kumpulan Obat Ambeien Wasir Sudah Parah
Kumpulan Obat Ambeien Sudah Terlanjur Parah
Kumpulan Obat Ambeien Sudah Sangat Parah
Cari Obat Ambeien Sudah Parah
Cari Pengobatan Ambeien Sudah Parah
Cari Obat Untuk Ambeien Sudah Parah
Cari Obat Alami Ambeien Sudah Parah
Cari Obat Manjur Ambeien Sudah Parah
Artikel Obat Ambeien Sudah Parah
Artikel Obat Ambeien Ibu Hamil Sudah Parah
Artikel Cara Mengobati Ambeien Sudah Parah
Artikel Obat Penghilang Ambeien Sudah Parah
Artikel Resep Obat Ambeien Sudah Parah
Beli Obat Ambeien Sudah Parah
Beli Obat Ambeien Sudah Parah Harga Murah
Beli Obat Ambeien Sudah Parah Online
Beli Obat Ambeien Sudah Parah Tanpa Operasi
Beli Obat Ambeien Sudah Parah Ambejoss
Obat Ambeien Aman Untuk Ibu Menyusui
Obat Ambeien Paling Aman Untuk Ibu Menyusui
Obat Ambeien Terbukti Aman Untuk Ibu Menyusui
Obat Ambeien Aman Untuk Ibu Menyusui Testimoni
Pusat Obat Ambeien Aman Untuk Ibu Menyusui
Jual Obat Ambeien Aman Untuk Ibu Menyusui
Jual Obat Ambeien Aman Untuk Ibu Menyusui Tanpa Efek Samping
Jual Obat Wasir Ambeien Aman Untuk Ibu Menyusui
Jual Obat Herbal Ambeien Aman Untuk Ibu Menyusui
Jual Obat Ambeien Aman Untuk Ibu Hamil dan Menyusui
Resep Obat Ambeien Aman Untuk Ibu Menyusui
Resep Obat Tradisional Ambeien Aman Untuk Ibu Menyusui
Resep Obat Ambeien Yang Aman Untuk Ibu Menyusui
Resep Pengobatan Ambeien Aman Untuk Ibu Menyusui
Resep Obat Kapsul Ambeien Aman Untuk Ibu Menyusui
Artikel Obat Ambeien Aman Untuk Ibu Menyusui
Artikel Obat Ambeien Aman Untuk Ibu Menyusui Tanpa Operasi
Artikel Obat Ambeien Aman Untuk Ibu Menyusui Murah
Artikel Obat Ambeien Aman dan Manjur Untuk Ibu Menyusui
Artikel Obat Ambeien Ampuh Aman Untuk Ibu Menyusui

denbagus said...

nice
Pusat Obat Ambeien Aman Untuk Ibu Menyusui
Pusat Obat Ambeien atau Hemoroid Aman Untuk Ibu Menyusui
Pusat Obat Penyakit Ambeien Aman Untuk Ibu Menyusui
Pusat Obat Tonjolan Ambeien Aman Untuk Ibu Menyusui
Pusat Obat Ambeien Denature Aman Untuk Ibu Menyusui
Beli Obat Ambeien Aman Untuk Ibu Menyusui
Beli Obat Ambeien Aman Untuk Ibu Hamil dan Menyusui
Beli Obat Sakit Ambeien Aman Untuk Ibu Menyusui
Beli Obat Ambeien Paling Aman Untuk Ibu Menyusui
Beli Obat Alami Ambeien Aman Untuk Ibu Menyusui
Kumpulan Obat Ambeien Aman Untuk Ibu Menyusui
Kumpulan Obat Atasi Ambeien Aman Untuk Ibu Menyusui
Kumpulan Obat Ambeien Akut Aman Untuk Ibu Menyusui
Kumpulan Obat Ambeien Aman Untuk Ibu Menyusui Mujarab
Kumpulan Obat Alternatif Ambeien Aman Untuk Ibu Menyusui
Mengobati Kutil di Penis
Mengobati Kutil di Sekitar Penis
Mengobati Tumbuh Kutil di Penis
Mengobati Seperti Kutil di Penis
Cara Ampuh Mengobati Kutil di Penis
Cara Mengobati Kutil di Penis
Cara Cepat Mengobati Kutil di Penis
Cara Mengobati Kutil di Daerah Penis
Cara Mengobati Kutil di Penis Pria
Cara Mengobati Bintil Kutil di Penis
Mengobati Benjolan Kutil di Penis
Mengobati Benjolan Kutil di Area Penis
Mengobati Benjolan Kutil di Dekat Penis
Cara Mudah Mengobati Benjolan Kutil di Penis
Tips Mengobati Benjolan Kutil di Penis
Mengobati Tumbuh Kutil di Penis
Mengobati Tumbuh Kutil di Kepala Penis
Mengobati Tumbuh Kutil di Penis Dengan Herbal
Ramuan Untuk Mengobati Tumbuh Kutil di Penis
Resep Alami Mengobati Tumbuh Kutil di Penis
Mengobati Infeksi Kutil di Penis
Mengobati Infeksi Kutil di Penis Tanpa Operasi
Mengobati Infeksi Kutil di Penis Secara Cepat
Solusi Untuk Mengobati Infeksi Kutil di Penis
Obat Buat Mengobati Infeksi Kutil di Penis

denbagus said...

good
Mengobati Ada Kutil di Penis
Bagamana Cara Mengobati Ada Kutil di Penis?
Mengobati Ada Kutil di Sekitar Penis
Mengobati Ada Kutil di Dekat Penis
Cara Mengobati Ada Kutil di Penis
Mengobati Kutil Jengger Ayam di Penis
Mengobati Kutil Jengger Ayam di Penis Lelaki
Mengobati Bintil Kutil Jengger Ayam di Penis
Mengobati Penyakit Kutil Jengger Ayam di Penis
Mengobati Kutil Jengger Ayam di Penis Tanpa Operasi
Pengobatan Kanker Stadium 3
Pengobatan Kanker Tumor Stadium 3
Pengobatan Tradisional Kanker Stadium 3
Terapi Pengobatan Kanker Stadium 3
Cara Pengobatan Kanker Stadium 3
Pengobatan Alami Kanker Stadium 3
Mencari Pengobatan Alami Kanker Stadium 3
Resep Pengobatan Alami Kanker Stadium 3
Pengobatan Alami Atasi Kanker Stadium 3
Artikel Pengobatan Alami Kanker Stadium 3
Pengobatan Herbal Kanker Stadium 3
Pengobatan Herbal Tumor Kanker Stadium 3
Pengobatan Herbal Ampuh Atasi Kanker Stadium 3
Pengobatan Herbal Kanker Stadium 3 Manjur
Pengobatan Herbal Kanker Stadium 3 Murah
Pengobatan Tradisional Kanker Stadium 3
Pengobatan Tradisional Untuk Kanker Stadium 3
Pengobatan Tradisional Hilangkan Kanker Stadium 3
Pengobatan Tradisional Kanker Stadium 3 Mujarab
Cara Pengobatan Tradisional Kanker Stadium 3
Pengobatan Ampuh Kanker Stadium 3
Pengobatan Ampuh Penyakit Kanker Stadium 3
Pengobatan Paling Ampuh Kanker Stadium 3
Pengobatan Ampuh Sembuhkan Kanker Stadium 3
Pengobatan Ampuh Kanker Stadium 3 Tanpa Operasi
Pengobatan Alternatif Kanker Stadium 3
Terapi Pengobatan Alternatif Kanker Stadium 3
Pengobatan Alternatif Sakit Kanker Stadium 3
Tips Pengobatan Alternatif Kanker Stadium 3
Pengobatan Alternatif Untuk Mengatasi Kanker Stadium 3

Post a Comment