Billy Collins "Litany"

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1. What was Billy Collins' original intention in writing "Litany?" Did he write it using a romantic tone or a comedic tone?

2. What was the background of the poem? What does the audience need to know? Is it possible that "Litany" is based on a previous break-up?

3. Is there a deeper meaning behind imagery like "the bread and the knife, the crystal goblet and the wine?"

4. Is imagery such as "pigeon on the general's head" supposed to be portrayed in a negative connotation?

5. Is Billy Collins poking fun at love poems?

6. Is Billy Collins "inventing the university?"

I feel Billy Collins is poking fun at love poems. I reread "Litany" a couple of times and still could not find any deeper meanings. The first author of this poem probably meant the first lines "You are the bread and the knife, the crystal goblet and the wine" to hold a symbolic meaning referring to the Catholic religion. I find that most of Billy Collins' imagery to be unflattering. No woman would want to be described as "marsh birds suddenly in flight" or "pigeon on the general's head." The poem is in a way contradicting and condescending. Billy Collins writes "There is just no way you are the pine-scented air." This to me seems to be a direct insult to his so called love. I feel this relationship may have become sour. That would explain why the author of the poem presents himself to be selfish and derogatory.