Billy Collins
I think I like Billy Collins
He has a good name
That kind of roll off the tongue,
I've heard it before on a July afternoon
Maybe at a baseball game,
Or a holiday weekend picnic name.
Billy Collins,
Like the kid who lived
Just up the street when I was a kid.
Always ready for an adventure-
Street hockey, swimming pools
Bike trips to the local ice creamery.
Childhood summers that embraced
Every aspect of youthful freedom,
And it's constrictions.
Yes it's a good name,
Billy Collins.
Almost too good.
Perhaps he has dressed it up a bit,
Just so that its presentable for his books.
Maybe his real name is William Collingsworth,
Or some other mouthful
Conglomerate of unattractive letters.
It's easy to hide behind a name.
I haven't read more than a few of his poems
But I have always liked that name.
Billy Collins.
Seems like a lifelong friend.
The buddy you used to joke with in middle school,
You played baseball together in high school
You still live a block away from him.
He is that James Stewart type friend,
He'd fight for you in any bar
And get drunk with you there too
Ready for anything.
Billy Collins.
It's a good name.
I should read some of his stuff sometime.