Here's how he does it:
* Hyperbole and exaggeration: Collins uses exaggerated language to poke fun at the overly dramatic and sentimental expressions of traditional love poems. For example, he writes, "I would walk to the end of the world for you," and "I would die for you, if you asked me to."
* Repetition and predictable patterns: The poem's structure and language mimic the repetitive and predictable patterns found in many romantic poems. This repetition emphasizes the staleness and lack of originality in the genre.
* Irony and understatement: Collins uses irony to create a humorous contrast between the grand declarations of love and the reality of everyday relationships. For instance, he writes, "I would give you the moon and the stars, if you asked me to," but then follows it with a more realistic, "But I'm afraid that you'll have to settle for this heart."
* Self-awareness and metafiction: Collins is aware of the tropes he's parodying, and he uses metafiction to draw attention to the absurdity of these clichés. He writes, "I'm sorry if this sounds like a cliché, but I can't help it." This self-awareness adds to the humor of the poem.
By employing these literary devices, Collins playfully mocks the romantic poetry genre and highlights the gap between poetic idealization and real-life relationships. He challenges readers to question the sincerity and originality of the traditional love poem.