Joanne Mitchell and Billy Collins. PHOTO BY JOSHUA KODIS

With his trademark humor and warmth, Billy Collins, who served two terms as poet laureate of the United States and was later named New York State poet laureate, charmed audiences at two Adventures in Poetry events to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Laura (Riding) Jackson Foundation.

Lovers of the written word were enthralled by his talks, first at a delightful luncheon at the Quail Valley River Club, and later the same day at an evening discussion at the Community Church of Vero Beach.

Sara Wilson, LRJF executive director, introduced event sponsor and board member Joanne Mitchell, describing her as someone who “strives to make a difference through encouraging young people to read and write for enjoyment.”

Mitchell said her own experience with Collins’ writings began when she opened a copy of his book “Aimless Love” at a library and her appreciation has grown ever since.

“His writing is not complicated. It’s just about the complexities of what we face every day.

Simple words, filled with surprise and imagination,” said Mitchell, thanking Collins for giving us all the gift of his writing.

Collins captivated his audiences with quips, observations and readings, leaving no doubt as to why he had been selected to receive the highest honor possible for a poet in this country.

Showcasing his ability to write about life’s most mundane moments, he got chuckles when reading “Cheerios,” written about the time he discovered he was the same age as that cereal.

That poem, he said, demonstrates that when writing poetry, “one doesn’t need a lot of heavy material to draw on.”

The downside, he said, is that folks often want to share their own ideas with him about what would make a great topic for a poem. “Suggestion Box” came about after deciding, “Maybe I should write a poem about all the people who think they know what I should be writing about.”

This is not to say that Collins doesn’t have the capacity to elucidate sorrow and suffering. As he was poet laureate during the horrific 9/11 attacks, he was asked to write something about that tragic day. One year later, he read his heartrending verse “The Names” before a special joint session of Congress held in New York City.

Earlier in the luncheon, Wilson had introduced Rachel Estillore, a Vero Beach High School senior, who started a student writing club last year to get others interested and excited about writing.

Estillore said her urge to write poetry about various aspects of growing up is a way to preserve her feelings on paper.

“To me, writing tells the story of everything that I have ever been and everything that I will be,” said Estillore, before reciting her poem “Cornucopia.”

A number of other teen writers and English teachers had been invited to the luncheon, sitting with guests at tables throughout the room, including Maurine Occeus.

“Writing is a way to express yourself and get everything down on paper. Maybe trauma-dump any of those negative feelings and thoughts; put them down on paper and express them in a way to just let them go,” said Occeus, speaking of her own passion for poetry and creative writing.

In addition to preserving the cracker style home of the noted 20th century poet, the Laura (Riding) Jackson Foundation is dedicated to nurturing teen writers and adult writers through a variety of literary offerings such as writers’ groups, summer camps, workshops and poetry festivals.

For more information, visit LauraRidingJackson.org.

Photos by Joshua Kodis