Domestic Contentment and the Style of Billy Collins

internalize the techniques of the past in hopes of improving poetry for the present. As Elkins states, he has often been quoted as saying that he is yet to learn and master the art of poetry completely so that he can enter into the circles of many of the historical poets (21). He thrives on learning and criticism, being the first and perhaps only poet to encourage criticism often calling it the sharpening of his skill. Without criticism, it means…