Absinthe by Joyce Kilmer (1914)
The poem explores the themes of love, loss, and longing through the metaphor of absinthe, a strong green liquor often associated with Bohemian culture. It describes the speaker's emotional state as being in a state of turmoil, much like the drink itself. The poem also touches on the idea that the speaker is struggling to come to terms with the end of a relationship. The imagery used throughout the poem is vivid and evocative, drawing on the sensory details of the absinthe to convey the speaker's emotions.
By Joyce Kilmer · First published 1914 · Genre: Poetry, Symbolism, Romanticism · 371 words
First lines
I have prayed to the Christ of the merciful eyes, / I have prayed to the Lord of Hosts, / I have prayed, but in vain, for God to rise / And scatter these murderous ghosts, / These horrible, beckoning ghosts that sign / And beckon me where? ah, where? / O little green god in your crystal shrine, / You only will heed my prayer!
The breath of your mouth is a powerful wind / That whirls sorrow-shadows away; / The light of your eyes burns the bonds that bind, / I escape from the earth's fell sway. / The pallid figures in threatening line, / They falter and tremble and flee. / O little green god in your crystal shrine, / Shed some of your glory on me!
What this Textopian page supports
Absinthe is listed on Textopian as a poem by Joyce Kilmer, dated 1914 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: 1914 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Symbolism, Romanticism, Spirituality, Modernism
- Length: 371 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Absinthe 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
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse, utilizing rhythm and imagery characteristic of poetic forms.
- Symbolism — The text employs symbols, particularly the 'little green god,' to convey deeper meanings and emotions.
- Romanticism — Themes of longing, nature, and the exploration of the self reflect romantic ideals.
- Spirituality — The text explores themes of prayer, divine connection, and existential inquiry.
Tags
Poetry · Literary Fiction · American Literature · 20th Century Literature · Alcoholism · Mental Health · Psychological Insight · Stream-of-Consciousness · Modernist Movement · Experimental Writing · Autobiographical Elements · Coming of Age