"Chan ann leis a’ chiad bhuille thuiteas a’chraobh."
"It is not with the first stroke that the tree falls."
Portree Harbour by https://unsplash.com/@breebuddy
I was watching Billy Collins on a YouTube podcast recently when he was asked the perennial question, “How do you become a poet?”
His answer, though delivered with characteristic wit, might not be what you’d hope to hear: ten thousand hours of reading poetry, including the towering figures like Milton.
As someone who studied Creative Writing, I couldn’t help but reflect on my own relationship with poetry. While I enjoy reading it, I must admit I’ve not delved as deeply as perhaps I should. Collins’ advice reminded me of a simple truth that applies to almost any pursuit in life—whether it’s mastering a language, learning to play an instrument, or excelling at tennis. The foundation of success is the same: discipline, practice, and time.
There’s an old Gaelic proverb that captures this idea beautifully:
“Bidh an t-ubhal as fheàrr air a' mheangan as àirde”—the best apple is on the highest branch.
It reminds us that reaching our goals, whether in poetry or any other endeavour, demands persistence, patience, and a willingness to engage fully with the process.
Perhaps poetry, like the best apples, is sweeter when it’s hard-earned. The hours we invest—immersing ourselves in the words of great poets and writing our own—are what transform a casual interest into something enduring and meaningful.
Billy Collins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP9reBY7EwM