The Red Flower. June 1914 (Premonition)
In this poem, the speaker describes a red flower blooming in June 1914, amidst the impending doom of World War I. The flower's beauty and vibrancy serve as a stark contrast to the darkness and chaos that looms on the horizon. The speaker reflects on how the world is about to be torn apart by war, yet the flower remains untouched, symbolizing hope and resilience in the face of destruction.
By Henry Van Dyke · First published 1900 · Genre: Poetry, Historical, War · 357 words
First lines
In the pleasant time of Pentecost, / By the little river Kyll, / I followed the angler's winding path / Or waded the stream at will. / And the friendly fertile German land / Lay round me green and still.
But all day long on the eastern bank / Of the river cool and clear, / Where the curving track of the double rails / Was hardly seen though near, / The endless trains of German troops / Went rolling down to Trier.
What this Textopian page supports
The Red Flower. June 1914 (Premonition) is listed on Textopian as a poem by Henry Van Dyke, dated 1900 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Henry Van Dyke
- Date: 1900 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Historical, War, Symbolism, Psychological
- Length: 357 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Red Flower. June 1914 (Premonition) by Henry Van Dyke
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with a rhythmic and lyrical quality, characteristic of poetry.
- Historical — The poem references specific historical events and settings, such as the movement of German troops in 1914, providing a historical context.
- War — The themes and imagery relate to military movements and the ominous premonition of war, central to the narrative.
- Symbolism — The use of symbols, such as the 'blood-red flower,' conveys deeper meanings and premonitions, typical of symbolic literature.
Tags
Historical Fiction · War Novel · WWI · Premonition · Fictionalized History · Literary Fiction · Classic Literature · American Literature · 20th Century Literature · Novel of Ideas · Social Commentary · Mystery