The Poem “The Four C’s” by Billy Collins focuses on the way we talk about poetry and the language associated with it.
The poet says that when one talks about a Poem, they are expected to talk in a ‘solemn way’, speaking of ‘tropes’ and ‘imagery’; of ‘ambiguity’ and ‘irony’.
However, the poet wants to focus on the simpler aspects of a poem—the ‘small word’ and ‘small deeds’.
He doesn’t want people to think of a Poem as something ‘lofty’ or ‘intellectual’, detached from everyday life. He wants people to see a Poem as something ‘casual’, something that speaks of ‘the coffee, cream, children’.
The words ‘coffee’ and ‘cream’ are representative of the informal, personal tone the poet is trying to set, while the word ‘children’ is representative of honesty, and the joy that comes from the little things in life.
The poet then says that it is these small things in life that make his Poem ‘bearable’. He wants to write a Poem that is simple and accessible, that can be enjoyed by anyone, not just those who are well-versed in the language of Poetry.
Summary
“Four C’s” by Billy Collins is a humorous poem that discusses the language and expectations often associated with poetry. The poem encourages readers to appreciate the simple, everyday aspects of life and to view poems in a more accessible and personal way.