Three Poems by the US poet, Billy Collins

Here's a couple of poems for unseen practice. When reading them, take some of Billy's advice on how to study poetry: "rather than thinking first on what the poem is about, consider instead the journey by which it got to its ending." In other words, how does it navigate between its points by expanding, contracting, being serious, humorous or ironic as the poem makes its way to its conclusion?

"Child Development"


You can find the full typescript of this poem by clicking this link:
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/child-development/

"The Lanyard"


Click on this link for a typescript of this poem
ttp://www.billy-collins.com/2005/06/the_lanyard.html

"Sweet Talk"


You can find the typescript of this poem, by clicking on this link:
http://poem-a-day.posterous.com/sweet-talk-by-billy-collins