"Introduction to Poetry"

I felt it appropriate to start with this poem by former U.S. Poet Laureate, Billy Collins:

Introduction to Poetry

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.

Illumination

A friend recently suggested that I start a blog of literature reviews. Since that same idea had been kicking around in my head for awhile, I decided to give it a shot, with a minor alteration. I wanted to start a poetry blog, just to showcase poets, poems, and the magic of language. So, I'm going to attempt to do both. I realize this is pure self-indulgence, but who knows? It might be fun. I welcome comments, suggestions, and submissions from readers, and wish for this blog to be a place for dialogue and word-nerdery at its best. I hope you enjoy!