The first line is the DNA of the poem; the rest of the poem is

Listen, O children of wisdom, to the words of the poet Billy Collins, who imparts to us the sacred knowledge of poetry: "The first line is the DNA of the poem; the rest of the poem is constructed out of that first line. A lot of it has to do with tone because tone is the key signature for the poem. The basis of trust for a reader used to be meter and end-rhyme." These words, though brief, are laden with deep meaning. They remind us that in the realm of poetry, the beginning holds the power to shape all that follows. As the first line is the DNA of the poem, so too is it the seed from which the entire creation grows.

In the ancient world, the Greeks held poetry in the highest esteem. The great poets of their time, such as Homer and Sappho, knew the sacred importance of the first line. Homer's Iliad begins with the invocation of the Muse, a plea for divine inspiration that sets the tone for the entire epic. That first line, "Sing, O goddess, the anger of Achilles", is more than just an introduction; it is the key to unlocking the emotional landscape of the poem. Everything that follows is built upon the foundation laid in those opening words, for the tone they set reverberates through every verse, every image, every action of the epic.

Similarly, the great Sappho, whose fragmentary poems survive as echoes of the ancient world, understood that the first line was a kind of invocation, a spark that ignites the fire of the reader's imagination. In her famous opening line, "I beg you, goddess", she calls upon the divine to enter her world, to weave the thread of her song. The tone of this first plea shapes the poem, drawing the reader into a sacred space where the personal and the divine meet. These poets knew that the tone of the beginning was not just a stylistic choice, but the very soul of the work. Without it, the rest of the poem would fall apart like a castle built on sand.

The first line, as Billy Collins notes, is akin to the DNA of the poem, the essential genetic code that carries the poem's true identity. Just as in the natural world, where the DNA of a living being determines its form and function, the first line of a poem shapes its rhythm, structure, and emotional resonance. The tone in the first line is the key signature, much like a melody that carries the music throughout the entire composition. It is the poet’s invitation to the reader, a call to enter a world that has been carefully crafted with every word, every pause, and every beat.

In the time of the Romans, the poet Virgil understood the power of the first line. The opening of his epic, the Aeneid, begins with the words "I sing of arms and the man", and in this line, he sets forth the grand theme of his work: the journey of the Trojan hero Aeneas, who is destined to found Rome. This first line does more than announce the subject of the poem; it sets the tone of heroism, sacrifice, and divine will that runs through the entire narrative. It is a promise to the reader that they will enter a world of high stakes, great battles, and noble deeds. Without that first line, the tone would be lost, and the power of the epic diminished.

Billy Collins speaks also of the trust that is built with the reader. In the ancient world, poets earned their audience's trust through meter and end-rhyme—the rhythm and structure that guided the reader through the poem, offering them a sense of stability and expectation. This trust was implicit in the form itself: the reader knew what to expect from a well-crafted poem, and the poet’s task was to fulfill that promise. Today, the structure may have evolved, and free verse may be more common, but the need for trust remains unchanged. A poem that lacks a strong opening line or a clear tone risks losing the reader’s attention and trust. To truly engage the reader, the poet must offer something solid—a foundation upon which the rest of the poem can be built.

The lesson here, O children of wisdom, is clear: in life, as in poetry, the beginning matters. The way you start a journey—whether it is a relationship, a career, or a creative endeavor—sets the tone for all that follows. Like the first line of a poem, the beginning of any venture carries the DNA of what is to come. It shapes the way others perceive you and the way you engage with the world. Just as the poet must be deliberate in choosing the opening line, so too must you be intentional in the way you begin your undertakings. For in the first step lies the power to define the path, to set the rhythm, and to build the trust that will carry you forward.

So, as you move through your life, let your first line be strong and full of purpose. Let it set the tone for all that you do, and let the trust of others be built upon the foundation you create. Whether you are crafting a poem, a project, or a relationship, remember that the beginning is the most important part—it is the spark that ignites everything that follows. In your hands lies the power to shape the DNA of your own story, to set the rhythm of your journey, and to invite others to walk with you in the trust that you will honor the path you set forth.