A Valentine by Joyce Kilmer (1918)
The poem is a romantic expression of love and devotion, comparing the beloved to a rose that blooms in the poet's heart. It describes the beauty and fragrance of the beloved, and how they bring joy and happiness to the poet's life. The poem uses imagery and metaphor to convey the intensity of the poet's emotions and their desire for the beloved.
By Joyce Kilmer · First published 1918 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romantic Poetry, Imagery · 79 words
First lines
My songs should be as lilies fair, And roses made of crimson light, To lie amid the fragrant hair And on the breast of my delight.
Such glory is for them too high; I'll scatter them adown the street, And when my love is passing by They will rise up and kiss her feet.
What this Textopian page supports
A Valentine is listed on Textopian as a poem by Joyce Kilmer, dated 1918 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Joyce Kilmer
- Date: 1918 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Romantic Poetry, Imagery, Nature Poetry, Symbolism
- Length: 79 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Valentine by Joyce Kilmer
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Valentine?
- How does this poem by Joyce Kilmer fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Lyric Poetry first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The work expresses personal emotions and feelings, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Romantic Poetry — The themes of love and admiration for beauty are central to the poem, aligning it with romantic poetry.
- Imagery — The vivid descriptions of flowers and beauty create strong visual imagery, a key element in poetry.
- Nature Poetry — The references to flowers and natural beauty connect the poem to nature poetry.
Tags
Poem · Romance · Love · Valentine's Day · Sonnet · Free Verse · Nature Imagery · Symbolism · Imagery · Figurative Language · Metaphor · Personification