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Picnic, Lightning
Picnic, Lightning | Billy Collins
15 posts | 10 read | 3 to read
Winner of the 1999 Paterson Poetry Prize Over the past decade, Billy Collins has emerged as the most beloved American poet since Robert Frost, garnering critical acclaim and broad popular appeal. Annie Proulx admits, "I have never before felt possessive about a poet, but I am fiercely glad that Billy Collins is ours." John Updike proclaims his poems "consistently startling, more serious than they seem, they describe all the worlds that are and were and some others besides." This special, limited edition celebrates Billy Collins's years as U.S. Poet Laureate. Picnic, Lightning--one of the books that helped establish and secure his reputation and popularity during the 1990s--combines humor and seriousness, wit and sublimity. His poems touch on a wide range of subjects, from jazz to death, from weather to sex, but share common ground where the mind and heart can meet. Whether reading him for the first time or the fiftieth, this collector's edition is a must-have for anyone interested in the poet the New York Times calls simply "the real thing."
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KCofKaysville
Picnic, Lightning | Billy Collins
Pickpick

Interesting and quirky poems about all sorts of things you run across in a lifetime. I liked the one about learning new things from an encyclopedia.

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KCofKaysville
Picnic, Lightning | Billy Collins

Started a book of poems by Billy Collins.

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monalyisha
Picnic, Lightning | Billy Collins
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#WondrousWednesday
Having worked in bookstores, I don‘t think I‘d want to own one. 🙈 Retail is stressful! But just for fun:

An indoor park & bookstore, inspired by winters in New England. A large grassy area. Lots of plants. SAD lamps. Blankets to borrow. A cafe to grab a picnic lunch: wine, cheese, fruit, nuts — charcuterie. Freshly-baked baguettes. Somewhere you can buy books, read, & forget it‘s cold outside. Perhaps called Picnic, Lightning.

monalyisha I imagine we‘d have lots of overhead costs (literally, with the lighting!). We‘d likely have to charge an admission fee, like at a botanical garden. No music — at least, not in the park. Maybe some tunes &/or ambient nature sounds in the cafe. Coffee, obviously. And storytime once a week. Because who am I if I‘m not leading storytime? I think the bookstore itself would be fairly small, the selection highly cultivated & rotating. (edited) 1y
monalyisha Okay, okay…I‘ve changed my mind. Now accepting rich donors! 😂 1y
Eggs Great concepts 💙🩵💙 Thanks for playing 🥰 1y
42 likes3 comments
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TheSpineView
Picnic, Lightning | Billy Collins
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Lcsmcat I love this one! 4y
44 likes1 comment
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wanderinglynn
Picnic, Lightning | Billy Collins
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#poetrymatters April 4: morning

Morning by Billy Collins, found in the tagged.

Also available at: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/39602/morning-56d21d30775c...

TheSpineView 😍😍😍 5y
44 likes1 comment
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Lcsmcat
Picnic, Lightning | Billy Collins
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TheSpineView Excellant choice! 😍 5y
38 likes1 comment
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Lcsmcat
Picnic, Lightning | Billy Collins
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I read a lot of poetry in June. The three pictured (Rubaiyat is the center pic) plus bits and pieces from other collections. Reread Midsummer Night‘s Dream with the #shakespearereadalong and Notre Dame de Paris with the #hugonuts. Lots of good reading. #junestats

StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Well done! 💖📖💖 I love me some Atwood, haven't read this one yet. Did you like it? 5y
Lcsmcat @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego I did! If you‘ve read Stone Mattress, it‘s the characters from one of the stories in that collection. But I‘m not sure if the short story or the novel came first. 5y
Crazeedi I enjoyed the word is murder, and I have georgianna on my shelf, I started, but never finished 5y
Lcsmcat @Crazeedi It‘s not a “page turner” but her life was fascinating. I enjoyed getting to know her. 5y
51 likes5 comments
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Lcsmcat
Picnic, Lightning | Billy Collins
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Another from my favorite poet. #picnic #poetrymatters @TheSpineView

TheSpineView I love this one! The imagery! 💜💜💜 5y
42 likes1 comment
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MaGoose
Picnic, Lightning | Billy Collins
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2. Remember

I'll have to check and see what I can find out about poetry by Sandra Fowler. New to me.

#poetrymatters @LazyDays

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LitDrivenGirl
Picnic, Lightning | Billy Collins
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A podcast I listen to recently talked about Billy Collins' poetry. I decided to check a couple out from the library and then stopped by the shop and "borrowed" ? our copy of 'Picnic, Lightning'. I didn't know we even had it!?! I have a book haul post coming soon too. It's been a great Saturday for books ?. #libraryloot #nationalpoetrymonth #apoemhowsweet #poetry

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Iceangel9
Picnic, Lightning | Billy Collins
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Pickpick

I just love Billy Collins! 💜

RaimeyGallant Nice pic! 7y
3 likes1 comment
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BookishMarginalia
Picnic, Lightning | Billy Collins
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Yesterday's Welcome Back to school picnic -- with @WanderingBookaneer and @gibblr (this one's for you, @Figgy !)

Read4life I love this pic! You guys always look like you live life to the fullest. So fun. 7y
LeahBergen Awesome!! 😄 7y
Ms_T Hi, ladies! Great picture 👍🏻 7y
MrBook Awww, I LOVE this picture!!! 😁👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 7y
124 likes4 comments