As the 44th Poet Laureate of the United States of America from 2001-2003, Billy Collins published a collection of poems called “Poetry 180” — one poem for each day of the typical school year.

A longtime English professor and nationally acclaimed poet, Collins is said to be a central figure in the movement to re-popularize poetry among adolescents.

Fittingly, he will be appearing for a reading/book signing to wrap up National Poetry Month at 3 p.m. April 29 at Bainbridge High School.

Tickets are $15-$20 general admission. Collins’ events have been known to sell out quickly.

Within his work, Collins has consistently spoken out against the over-interpretation of poems and those poets who write only for the distinction of other poets. Collins’ work has been described as clear and understandable to all readers.

Poetry magazine selected him as Poet of the Year in 1994, and in 2005 Collins was the inaugural recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for Humor in Poetry.

His style is marked by a rebellion from the restrictive forms of conventional bard. He even invented a new poetic structure called “paradelle” — a hoax to parody the 1800’s French influenced style villanelle.

Collins has referred to poetry as “a form of travel writing” and has said he considers humor “a door into the serious.”