1324 GA Highway 49 South | Americus Georgia 31719

(229) 924-0391  |  info@koinoniafarm.org
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Youtube
Flickr
Visit Store
  • Home
  • About
    • Koinonia Today
    • History
      • Clarence Jordan
    • News
      • Publications
      • Media Page
      • Koinonia in Your Inbox
  • Visit
    • Ways to Visit
    • Courses & Retreats
  • Internship
    • Internship – A Brief Description
  • Support
    • Sponsor a Tree
    • Service To Others
  • Blog
    • Brief Thoughts from Bren
    • Other Writings
Menu
  • Home
  • About
    • Koinonia Today
    • History
      • Clarence Jordan
    • News
      • Publications
      • Media Page
      • Koinonia in Your Inbox
  • Visit
    • Ways to Visit
    • Courses & Retreats
  • Internship
    • Internship – A Brief Description
  • Support
    • Sponsor a Tree
    • Service To Others
  • Blog
    • Brief Thoughts from Bren
    • Other Writings
Donate
Visit Store

Support Koinonia in Honor or Memory of a Loved One with

Top ^

Holy Laughter – “Hippos on Holiday” by Billy Collins

Steve Krout

Steve Krout

All Writings
  • July 3, 2020
  • 10:06 am
  • No Comments

by Steve Krout
July 3, 2020

Hippos on Holiday
is not really the title of a movie
but if it was I would be sure to see it.
I love their short legs and big heads,
the whole hippo look.
Hundreds of them would frolic
in the mud of a wide, slow-moving river,
and I would eat my popcorn
in the dark of a neighborhood theater.
When they opened their enormous mouths
lined with big stubby teeth
I would drink my enormous Coke.

I would be both in my seat
and in the water playing with the hippos,
which is the way it is
with a truly great movie.
Only a mean-spirited reviewer
would ask on holiday from what?

There’s a misconception at times that poets have to be dark and brooding. Pick up any collection of poems by Billy Collins and bear witness to a poet that can tackle serious topics with humor. He’s a master of wit and wisdom. His poetry is filled with observation and imagination. In Hippos, his imagination is front and center as he expresses appreciation for the enormous hippopotami and for relaxation. As we live through a global pandemic and upheaval in the United States, poems like this one serve as a good reminder for us to look for the good, the true, and the beautiful in life.

Once, when I was sitting in our chapel, I began to meditate on the scripture that spoke of Jesus sitting and eating with sinners. In a few days I was going to be giving a devotion on this passage. I closed my eyes and began to imagine myself eating with Jesus at one of our picnic tables. Our friendly conversation was filled with joy and humor. I was so amused by all this that I began to laugh uncontrollably. Here I was, surrounded by people praying in silence, causing a disturbance. The more I tried to control the laughter the worse it got. I then excused myself from the chapel for a few moments in hopes that I would be able to compose myself. After a minute or two, I returned to my seat and proceeded to laugh even harder than before. Maybe it bewildered others, but it drew me closer to Christ.

Whether our imaginations lead us to playing in water with hippos or laughing with Jesus, let us be reminded of how beautiful it is to be human and to have such experiences, holy gifts from God.

Hippo in Water
Public Domain. Linnaea Mallette.

“Hippos on Holiday” appears in Ballistics (2008)

The New York Times has called Billy Collins (born 1941) “The most popular poet in America.” His writing is often witty, observational, and intelligent. Collins was appointed as Poet Laureate of the United States from 2001 to 2003. He is currently a teacher in the MFA program at Stony Brook Southampton. His notable works include Picnic, Lightning, The Art of Drowning, and Nine Horses.

Read the Introduction to Koinonia’s Summer Poetry Series

Read the Introduction to Koinonia’s Summer Poetry Series
Read Poem 1: Mary Oliver’s “Blueberries”
Read Poem 2: Thomas Merton’s “For My Brother”
Read Poem 4: Teresa Mei Chuc’s “Pencil”
Read Poems 5 & 6: Wendell Berry’s “Listen!” and “Why”
Read Poem 7: Li-Young Lee’s “The Gift”
Read Poem 8: Mary Oliver’s “Don’t Worry”

Share this with your friends:
Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on google
Google+
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn
PrevPreviousMassive Heart Change?
NextTraining for Peace – “Pencil” by Teresa Mei ChucNext

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More to explore

blank
Blog
Steve Krout

Reflections on Martin Luther King Day

In many of the people I grew up with, I see a Christianity that is not informed by spiritual and civil rights leaders like Sojourner Truth, Martin Luther King, and Cesar Chavez. I wonder how differently our country would have been shaped had we been taught to be open to the Spirit’s moving in and through such prophets.

Read More »
January 18, 2021 No Comments
blank
Blog
Steve Krout

5 Songs for Your Advent to Christmas Playlist

There’s the longing of the Advent season and there’s the excitement that is the Christmas season. I love both of those feelings.

Read More »
December 11, 2020 3 Comments
blank
Blog
Bren Dubay

Leisure

Leisure is an end in itself, a time to dwell on the beauty of creation, to read a challenging book, to be carried away listening to a soaring symphony, to catch one’s breath at a stunning work of art, a time to step back to admire the work that one has done. It is a time to worship and pray, the highest forms of leisure. It is a time to contemplate goodness and allow that goodness and all these meaningful activities to re-create us.

Read More »
October 28, 2020 1 Comment
Springtime Orchard
Blog
Bren Dubay

The Great Divorce

Good art, good literature, helps us imagine what a new normal and a new world can be. It is vital in times like these to seek out that which helps us imagine a better world and encourages us to work together, perhaps in small ways like Sarah Smith, to build this new world now.

Read More »
September 30, 2020 No Comments
Peace Trail Sign
Blog
Bren Dubay

Lessons for Disciples

The father went on directing his remarks to Naomi, “You aren’t one of us. Why would my children play with you?”
Naomi looked at the grown man. She could see kindness in his eyes even though his tone and words did not match it. She said to him, “Aren’t we are all God’s children, sir? That makes us one family … doesn’t it, sir?”

Read More »
August 24, 2020 1 Comment
blank
Blog
Steve Krout

Grace and Time – “Don’t Worry” by Mary Oliver

Grace must be lived and breathed. Perhaps you are not where you want to be today — Breathe. Live into the grace offered to you from God. And, don’t worry. Things take the time they take.

Read More »
August 14, 2020 No Comments

Contact Us

Koinonia Farm

1324 GA Highway 49 South
Americus, Georgia 31719
Tel: (877) 738-1741
Tel: (229) 924-0391

E-mail: info@koinoniafarm.org

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Youtube
Flickr
Online Store

Looking for something else?
Enter a word or phrase below.

Koinonia In Your Inbox

Please fill out the information below so we can keep you up to date in your email inbox.

Designed and maintained by Lowthian Design Works

Designed and maintained by Lowthian Design Works

Koinonia Farm

1324 GA Highway 49 South
Americus, Georgia 31719
Tel: (877) 738-1741
Tel: (229) 924-0391

E-mail: info@koinoniafarm.org

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Youtube
Flickr
Online Store

Looking for something else?
Click on the search icon and enter a word or phrase.

Search
Close