Bright Wings: An Illustrated Anthology of Poems About Birds

Edited by Billy Collins; Illustrated by David Allen Sibley
Columbia University Press, $22.95, 268 pages

Bright Wings is a collection of poems and art that will appeal to poets and bird lovers. Edited by well-known poet Billy Collins and illustrated by author and ornithologist David Allen Sibley, Bright Wings makes an excellent addition to any bookshelf. It features famous poets and contemporary voices, and an introduction by Billy Collins that explores the ability of poetry to continue to tackle old topics (birds) in new and surprising ways. Poetry is a living art and its persistent power mirrors the endless power birds have over us. We humans continue to be fascinated by winged creatures, those that can fly and make music, skills we humans openly desire for ourselves. David Allen Sibley’s beautiful illustrations fill this book with color. Each picture is accompanied by a short caption with information on the habits and habitats of the bird written about in an adjoining poem. This information enriches the reader’s understanding of each poem. I found many favorites among the poems in this collection, but I am truly haunted by the heron in Jane Hirshfield’s poem, “Hope and Love.” In the winter, some of us do fold ourselves like birds, and hope keeps us warm.

Reviewed by Viola Allo