“Chautauqua’s very hard to describe,” said Billy Collins, former poet laureate of the United States, “as anyone who’s asked to describe it probably says.”

This marks Collins’ fourth visit to the Institution. He noted that whenever he comes to Chautauqua, it seems to involve some time-travel to a simpler, more thoughtful time. He described the place’s origins as very philosophical, which perhaps explains why so many people on the grounds are buzzing about the chance to spend their Friday nights watching a conversation between a poet and a musician.