Aimless Love - Billy Collins

No Things
"So why bother with the checkered lighthouse?
Why waste time on the sparrow,
or the wildflowers along the roadside

when we all should be alone in our rooms
throwing ourselves at the wall of life
and the opposite wall of death,

the door locked behind us
as we hurl rocks at the question of meaning
and the enigma of our origins?"

This has been stuck in my head for days now, something about the irony, the word choice he uses really makes me question things. I mean the irony in the fact I picked a book I would normally never pick up is now one that I can't put down. I love that and I love this part of the poem.

I actually took the time to write out Mr. Collins an email, just simply letting him know how he has really changed my outlook on poetry. I've even been looking for some other poets that are slightly similar to his. And now I'm sad to say that I have one more section of his book to read, the last one entitled "New Poems" so I'm sure I'll painfully read through them tonight knowing that I'm coming closer to the end.

Here I feel like so many can relate to this little piece, part of human nature is questioning ourselves and where we are at that very moment, it seems like life is all one big question and no one has the answer sheet. There are those people that like to believe they know, or just simply pretend to feel greater of themselves. I enjoy the not knowing part of what comes next, but to just take a step back and enjoy those little things that make you feel whole as a person, as I mention in another post on how Mr. Collins points out and falls in love with, I aspire to be even more like that.

Aimless Love - Billy Collins
Pages 38-87

“… I am the sound of rain on the roof.

I also happen to be the shooting star,
the evening paper blowing down an alley,
and the basket of chestnuts on the kitchen table.

I am also the moon in the trees
and the blind woman's tea cup.
But don't worry, I am not the bread and the knife.
You are still the bread and the knife.
You will always be the bread and the knife,
not to mention the crystal goblet and—somehow—the wine.” 
― Billy Collins, Aimless Love: New and Selected Poems

This Poem has to be my favorite so far in this book, something about it makes me happy just reading over it. I swear Billy Collins makes me want to become a poet of my own kind, I love the way his word choice all flows together, not to mention what he notices, and describes things makes me feel like I am there with him. The way he finds beauty in everything, and anywhere he goes, there always seems to something or someone to write about. 

I admire this poem, just the last three lines really seem to get to me, making me think about people I love and that's how I think I should feel reading poetry, it is nice to be reminded of those good people and good memories. 

So far I am really enjoying this book, I tend to try and sneak a few reads at work when we are slow, i'll be so sad when this book is over, but all the more reason to find another book to fall in love with and maybe another poet. 

Aimless Love - Billy Collins 
First 37 pages

I kind of switched it up a bit, I can't seem to stay on one book for that long without picking up a new one to try and read as well. I was at Powell's Book Store in down town Portland last night, on I guess what you can say a date, when a stranger suggested this book to me, so I thought why not?

I don't read all that much poetry, throughout high school they made it sound so complicated, like poems are like math equations and you have to find the right answer on how the author wanted it to come across as. So therefore I chose this book as the genre I would never normally read.

So far, I think I have fallen in love, ironic. The poem Aimless Love is one of the most accurate pieces I have ever read. He talks about falling in love with everything in his daily life, from the seamstress to the dead mouse brought in by the cat. Just the fact he points out all the things you can fall in love with, not just lust, but love. I feel like I do that way too often, with just my coffee, the beautiful boy at the coffee shop making my coffee, even to the way my crappy apartment has the prettiest view if you just stand in the right spot, pretty much need to press your face to the window to see it.

His writing is making me want to carry around a small note pad and write down notes to myself as I notice them, (totally might by the way.) There is beauty in things and I really am happy I picked up this book, I've been in a slump that I can't seem to quite figure out but this book, I feel like I can make the best out of it.

As for now, I'm calling this a night.

A Common Pornography - Kevin Sampsell

Tonight I started a book that was suggested by my best friend that I admire the most, the book is titled A Common Pornography by Kevin Sampsell. The author was actually born and raised in the North West, and even got the chance to meet him at Powell's book store, (friend took me because she wanted to meet him and talk about his new book released not that long ago.) So I thought it was the most ideal book to choose at this time!

So far, about twenty-five pages in, its been a page or so of memoirs with simple titles detailing his life, starting at an early age. Seems to be vivid memories of his childhood, each one showing some small idea of what it was like for him as a kid. He seemed to believe his life was normal, but it was a little more unsettling at most. Details on how his mother has children with three different men, so he has a lot of half siblings, the youngest out of them all.  But so far I really do enjoy his way of writing, for being such short stories of memories, it really feels like I was there watching it all, which makes it more interesting to read.

Granted future notice, I'll find better ways to update you on this book!
With that, I grant you a goodnight.