Question

Read the excerpt from "Introduction to Poetry" by Billy Collins.

I say drop a mouse into a poem
and watch him probe his way out

Which statement best interprets the metaphor in these lines?

Poetry is nonsense.
Poetry is a maze.
Poetry is easy.
Poetry is a mouse.

Answer 1

B. poetry is a maze

When billy Collins is talking about letting a mouse probe it’s way out, it’s like a maze, since it is not a straight line. Probe is often used to describe someone who is wandering or exploring.