Billy Collins versus Charles Bukowski

Two books of poetry at the local Barnes & Noble.

1. Billy Collins, brilliant, hilarious poet laureate of the United States-a mere 88 pages.
2. Charles Bukowski, hard drinking, horse racing aficionado, lover of cats and classical music, a bum who made it- a whopping 408 pages you could probably use as a light bludgeon.

Both books are $18. Both are great poets, but Bukowski is a $5.00 Chinese buffet with pizza and ice cream and Collins is a delicately prepared meal of haute cuisine that still tastes like real food, but empties your wallet.

I`ll take the buffet...at least I'll go away full and not feel cheated when I come to the end of the book.