Context

This line is from the poem "The Lanyard" written by Billy Collins and included in the collection The Trouble with Poetry and Other Poems, first published in 2006.

Collins reminisces about a time at summer camp where he made this cool lanyard and was super proud of himself. He was like, "This is so awesome. I'm going to give it to my mom and she'll be super impressed." But looking back through the voice of experience, he realizes that his mom gave him the gift of life, so his lanyard seems pretty inconsequential.

Where you've heard it

You've probably heard this around Mother's Day. If it's not being used on a greeting card somewhere, the world is missing out.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

Want to impress your mom? Put the lanyard away. Maybe recite this poem to her and say, "You outdid yourself, and every gift I'd have given wouldn't be as cool as you giving me life. So, thanks."