I have fallen down on my job of poet stalker

March 22, 2010 in Uncategorized

Happy 69th Birthday today, poet Billy Collins.

Over 50 people have emailed to tell me it's your birthday, so I think I've done an adequate job of stalking you in the past. Yes, indeed I have.

Today, however, it slipped my mind. How is this possible?, you're wondering, there in your poet slippers worn down at the heel, peeling a banana or making a smoothie with overly ripe papayas.

Well, maybe it had to do with the snow here on the third day of Spring, perhaps that threw me off. Or the packing for a trip to Hastings, Nebraska, tomorrow – where (if I can be completely honest with you, Billy) I am quite in love with the idea that Nebraskan poet Ted Kooser might walk by the Blue Moon Coffee Shop whilst I'm sipping a tall latte and chatting with David and Jennica and Soozie and Megan and Beth–no, not Beth because she'll be out of town–and Lynne and Matt and Angela and Lisa and Harry and Jack, my fantastic Jack, and Robin and Carey and…well, you get the picture.

But happy birthday nonetheless. Call when you get a chance, in between sonnets or pentameter or line dancing or whatever you're doing now.

About Patti Digh

Patti Digh is an author, speaker, and educator who builds learning communities and gets to the heart of difficult topics. Her work over the last three decades has focused on diversity, inclusion, social justice, and living and working mindfully. She has developed diversity strategies and educational programming for major nonprofit and corporate organizations and has been a featured speaker at many national and international conferences.

5 comments to " I have fallen down on my job of poet stalker "


Bridget

March 22, 2010 AT 10:55PM

Ted Kooser guest-taught my Poetry classes as an undergrad and grad student at the great University of Nebraska. He is absolutely lovely.
I love his practice of writing valentine’s for all his friends and hand-delivering them around town.
Hope he stops by Hastings with roses in hand for you.

jeanne

March 23, 2010 AT 7:38AM

so look, patti. if this book thing doesn’t work out for you, i think you could quite possibly have a future in penning birthday cards.

Peggy

March 23, 2010 AT 11:16PM

I just was notified that a poem I wrote and submitted to our little ‘ol Allied Arts organization’s poetry contest, was selected for publication. I’m thrilled, but a little shy in reading it at the public celebration event. Anyway – I love your writing – it’s very poetic in a real life way – and, I hope that Ted discovers you on his way to the bank.

Clara B.

March 24, 2010 AT 8:32PM

Hmmmm. Billy Collins line dancing. An image to treasure. Oh, and I do so love Ted Kooser too!

jylene

March 27, 2010 AT 3:35PM

i’ll bet summer didn’t forget!