If you are a fan of Billy Collins, I will attempt to discuss DOG SHOW without spoiling your reading of it. If you are unfamiliar with his hundreds of conversational poems, I will introduce him to you in this review of his latest collection, which also includes beautiful watercolors of dogs by Pamela Sztybel.

The New York Times frequently refers to William James Collins as “the most popular poet in America.” From 2001 to 2003, he served two terms as the U.S. Poet Laureate. For the first anniversary of September 11th, he was asked to compose a poem memorializing the tragedy, which he read to a joint session of Congress. The popularity of his poetry can be measured by the six-figure advance he received upon changing publishers in the late 1990s.

"When you read a Billy Collins poem, it is entertainment, almost as if you are listening to a beautiful song. Take a moment to enjoy where his poetry takes you."

The best way to discuss Collins is to share with you the words and hopes of his classic poem, “Introduction to Poetry.” He asks you “to walk inside the poem’s room and feel the walls for a light switch” but laments that all people really want from reading a poem is to “tie the poem to a chair with rope and torture a confession out of it. They begin beating it with a hose to find out what it really means.” His poetry is imaginative but familiar. It allows you to have a short, simple, enjoyable time while also revealing insightful truths about the world and life itself.

For many people, canines are a vital part of life. Collins is clearly one of those individuals. As DOG SHOW notes, he is currently “between dogs,” his most recent one being an Australian Shepherd mix named Jeannine. These 25 poems are a tribute to and a deeply moving observation of the role that dogs play in the lives of their owners and families. I confess that I do not have a dog. But I am the proud grandfather of Kevin and Walter, two rescue dogs who have been a part of my extended family for the past five years. They love my granddaughter, and watching their interactions brings me great happiness.

The opening stanza of the first poem, “Dharma,” sets the stage for what Collins hopes we will understand about dogs.

The way the dog trots out the front door
every morning
without a hat or an umbrella,
without any money
or the keys to her dog house
never fails to fill the saucer of my heart
with milky admiration.

These poems detail the impact that dogs have on our daily lives, whether they are running outside when we allow them off the leash or snuggling with them while we attempt to watch television or read. The relationship is one of mutual love as they contribute as much to our lives as we do to theirs.

DOG SHOW is a heartwarming collection regardless of whether or not you have a dog. In fact, there is even a poem directed at cat owners. Most of all, everyone will gain some important insight into the world of dogs and those who love them. When you read a Billy Collins poem, it is entertainment, almost as if you are listening to a beautiful song. Take a moment to enjoy where his poetry takes you.