Child Development written and read by Billy Collins

I was introduced to Billy Collins through a poetry-writing course I took during my senior year of college. A few months ago, I downloaded some audio recordings of him reading a few of his poems and put them on my iPod. While going through my music tonight, I realized that this is the most listened-to “song” on my iPod. At first I was surprised, but after thinking about it, I realized this is one of the only recordings on my iPod that I never skip and always let it play through to the end (I have a tendency to press next 3/4 of the way through familiar songs). I was hesitant to post this, afraid that admitting I keep poetry on my iPod would come off as pretentious in the same manner that people insist they love opera or their favorite music is classical, but I really wanted to share it.

Sometimes, while huddled in my cubicle at work, when I’m at a point where I just want to pull my hair out or punch the computer monitor in front of me, this comes on my iPod, makes me laugh a little to myself and reminds me that although I’m getting older, there will always be a part of me that will never grow up.

Oh, and I don’t care what you say: if you were born after 1935 and have ever said your favorite music genre is classical or something to the effect of, “It doesn’t get any better than a Puccini aria,” then you’re a liar. Also, people probably think you’re an asshole. Not me, but almost everyone else. Okay, me too.