Billy Collins, the former U.S. Poet Laureate, has a way with words that makes poetry feel like a conversation with an old friend. His quotes are witty, profound, and often laced with humor. Whether you’re a poetry lover or just looking for inspiration, his words have a way of sticking with you. Here’s a collection of his best quotes, organized to spark your imagination.
🔹 Billy Collins on Poetry and Writing
Billy Collins makes poetry feel accessible. He strips away the pretension and invites everyone in.
❶ “Poetry is the oldest form of storytelling, and it’s still the best way to tell the truth slant.”
❷ “I ask students to write a poem every day. Not because I want them to be poets, but because I want them to be awake.”
❸ “A good poem begins in delight and ends in wisdom.”
❹ “The trouble with poetry is that it encourages the writing of more poetry.”
❺ “Poetry is the art of making the familiar strange and the strange familiar.”
Ever read a poem and felt like it was written just for you? That’s Billy Collins’ magic.
🔹 Billy Collins on Life and Everyday Moments
He finds beauty in the ordinary. His words remind us to slow down and notice the little things.
❶ “The most interesting things happen when you’re not looking for them.”
❷ “Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans—but poetry is what happens when you stop and pay attention.”
❸ “Everyday life is the most underrated source of inspiration.”
❹ “Happiness is a quiet dinner, a good book, and no urgent emails.”
❺ “The best moments are the ones you didn’t plan.”
Why rush through life when the best parts are in the pauses?
🔹 Billy Collins on Love and Relationships
Love isn’t always grand gestures. Sometimes, it’s in the quiet, shared moments.
❶ “Love is the quiet understanding that someone else’s weirdness matches yours.”
❷ “The best relationships are the ones where you can sit in silence and still feel understood.”
❸ “Romance is overrated. Real love is making coffee for someone who’s still asleep.”
❹ “You know it’s love when their flaws become part of the charm.”
❺ “A good relationship is like a well-written poem—simple, honest, and full of meaning.”
Ever noticed how the smallest things mean the most in love?
🔹 Billy Collins on Creativity and Inspiration
Where do ideas come from? Collins has some thoughts.
❶ “Inspiration is just your brain finally catching up with what your heart already knows.”
❷ “Creativity isn’t about waiting for a muse. It’s about showing up and doing the work.”
❸ “The best ideas come when you’re not trying to have them.”
❹ “Writing is easy. All you have to do is stare at a blank page until your forehead bleeds.”
❺ “A poem is never finished—it just reaches a point where you let it go.”
Ever had a great idea in the shower? That’s your brain finally relaxing enough to let it out.
🔹 Billy Collins on Aging and Time
He writes about growing older with humor and grace.
❶ “Aging is just your body’s way of saying, ‘Hey, remember when you took me for granted?’”
❷ “The older I get, the more I realize how little I know—and how little that matters.”
❸ “Time doesn’t fly. It just moves at different speeds depending on how much fun you’re having.”
❹ “Youth is wasted on the young, but wisdom is wasted on the old.”
❺ “The secret to aging well? Keep laughing, keep learning, and never stop being curious.”
Why fear aging when you can laugh at it instead?
🔹 Billy Collins on Humor and Wit
His humor makes even serious topics feel light.
❶ “If you can’t laugh at yourself, you’re missing the best joke of all.”
❷ “Serious poetry is like a funeral—necessary, but better with a little humor.”
❸ “The world is absurd. The best response is to laugh and write a poem about it.”
❹ “Humor is just truth, delivered with a wink.”
❺ “Life’s too short to be serious all the time. Even Shakespeare wrote fart jokes.”
Who says poetry has to be solemn?
🔹 Billy Collins on Reading and Books
For Collins, books are more than just words on a page.
❶ “A good book is a conversation with someone smarter than you.”
❷ “Reading is the cheapest form of time travel.”
❸ “Libraries are the only places where silence feels like a gift.”
❹ “Books are the best kind of friends—they never interrupt, and they always have something interesting to say.”
❺ “The best stories don’t just entertain you. They change the way you see the world.”
Ever gotten lost in a book and forgotten the time? That’s the magic of reading.
Final Thoughts
Billy Collins’ quotes are like little windows into a wiser, funnier world. Whether he’s talking about poetry, love, or just the oddness of life, his words stick with you. Which quote resonated with you the most? Keep these in mind next time you need a dose of inspiration—or a good laugh.