Devyn Forcina ‘22

News Editor

“An Evening of Poetry with Billy Collins ‘63” is a special upcoming event presented by College of the Holy Cross Alumni Relations. The former U.S Poet Laureate will be sharing poems and reflections on his time at the college on December 7, 2020 at 7:30 PM EST. 

Billy Collins is one of the College’s greatest legacies. His poems, noted for their accessibility, wit, and tenderness, have become familiar favorites in the United States and abroad. He served two terms as the U.S Poet Laureate, from 2001 until 2003. Recently, his fourteenth book of poetry, Whale Day, was published. 

Collins graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in 1963. He was involved with the college’s literary scene as a student: he served as the editor for The Purple, the college’s literary magazine that is still published annually. 

Holy Cross Magazine’s feature on Billy Collins, published on July 31, 2020, can be found here. This article includes an interview with the poet, as well as some of his poems including “Books”, “The Lanyard”, and excerpts from some of his longer poems.

The reading on December 7 requires registration, You can register here. Marybeth Reilly-McGreen ‘89 will moderate this event. Questions may be submitted to alumni@holycross.edu in advance.