Former United States Poet Laureate Billy Collins is the current Poet Laureate of my heart. This poem is one of my favorites. Watch it, then call your mama and thank her for everything.
The Lanyard
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I’ve read this poem before, but hearing it read by the author was wonderful. It never fails to make me smile and cry a little too – especially now that I have my own small collection of “lanyards” given to me by my children. We are even.
I have an attic full of “lanyards” I wouldn’t trade for anything, their memories are priceless, and yes we are even.
This poem brought tears to my eyes as I remembered sitting on a wooden bench at camp totally focused on making a red and white lanyard. I still remember how to make that boxy shape. My mother is gone now, but when I handed it to her so many years ago and she put it around her neck, I was telling her how much I loved her and I think she understood.
Don’t you just love Billy Collins? I heard Garrison Keillor read “The Night House” years ago and immediately looked up the author and went out to buy a book of his poetry. I could listen to Billy Collins read his own poems all day. Thanks for a smile to start my day.
I totally agree about Billy Collins–he’s one of my very favorite poets. (And considering how few there are, that says a lot!)
Thanks, that was a real treat.
it’s odd how well I can cry and laugh at the same time.
Oh, the lanyards, the exquisite, formless lumps of carefully painted clay, the Gods Eye weavings…thanks, Susan. I never read that poem, and it is indeed wonderful.
I adore this man and his poetry. Especially when he’s on Prairie Home Companion.
I remember when I first ‘discovered’ Billy Collins in high school… ‘Picnic, Lightning’ might be my favorite.
Love it! It made me smile and laugh. My “lanyards” are made with paper and crayons, so far.
His live CD is the most played in my car. My personal absolute favorite poem of his is “The Country.” I heard him read it on PHC and collapsed into laughter (I used to summer in Vermont at my Grandparents’ home, later my parents’, where indeed the matches were kept in a tin. You’ll have to read or listen to it to get this. My teenaged sons and I do like “The Lanyard” as well. I myself am a proud owner of bright green and turquoise lanyard earrings.
Wendy