Age Comes a-Wooing by Joyce Kilmer
The poem explores the theme of aging and its effects on one's life. It describes how age brings wisdom, experience, and a sense of calm, but also loss of vitality and physical strength. The speaker reflects on their own aging process, acknowledging both the benefits and drawbacks that come with it.
By Joyce Kilmer · First published 1918 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric · 533 words
First lines
With shameless and incessant lust Thy tremulous hot hands are thrust Upon my body's loveliness. O loathsome Age, thy foul caress Puts on my heart a deadly blight, Withers my hair to leprous white, Binds fetters on my eager feet That once on Springtime's road were fleet To bear me to Love's shining goal. Now bitter tides of sorrow roll To drown me in a sea of woe And God looks on, and wills it so!
Give over thy pursuing, Age! Fearest thou not my lover's rage? For he is young and strong of limb, Thou canst not stand a bout with him. Ah, surely he will laugh to see So wan a suitor wooing me. Then with wild scorn his heart will swell And he will fling thee back to hell.
What this Textopian page supports
Age Comes a-Wooing 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: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric, Existentialism, Tragedy
- Length: 533 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhythm and meter characteristic of poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of love, beauty, and the struggle against the ravages of time reflect romantic ideals.
- Lyric — The personal expression of emotions and thoughts about love and aging aligns with lyric poetry.
- Existentialism — The exploration of aging, mortality, and the search for meaning in love suggests existential themes.
Tags
Poetry · Romance · Love · Age · Youth · Beauty · Time · Passage · Life · Experience · Wisdom · Reflection