And Forbid them Not by Joyce Kilmer
The poem explores the theme of nature's beauty and the speaker's reverence for it. The speaker describes a forest where trees are forbidden to be cut down, but they continue to grow and thrive despite this prohibition. The poem highlights the resilience of nature and its ability to flourish even in the face of human attempts to control or destroy it.
By Joyce Kilmer · First published 1918 · Genre: Religious Poetry, Social Commentary, Lyric Poetry · 207 words
First lines
("No Trespassing" signs in a churchyard.)
Tall, bleak, austere, the mighty buildings loom; Hard, bare and dull the grimy city street. Here by the church is found a little room Roofed with blue sky and with green turf made sweet.
Surely the Master of this house would smile Seeing the children on His grass at play, Seeing the mothers rest a little while Out of the turmoil of the busy day.
Soon will he ask, "Where are the children gone: They who should share this pleasant, sacred place? No little feet are treading this soft lawn, Here shines no glory from a little face."
What this Textopian page supports
And Forbid them Not 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: Religious Poetry, Social Commentary, Lyric Poetry, Nature Poetry, Children's Literature
- Length: 207 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for And Forbid them Not by Joyce Kilmer
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Religious Poetry — The work explores themes of faith, spirituality, and the relationship between children and the divine.
- Social Commentary — It critiques societal attitudes towards children and the neglect of their presence in sacred spaces.
- Lyric Poetry — The writing style is emotive and reflective, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Nature Poetry — The imagery of nature and the churchyard highlights the connection between the natural world and spiritual themes.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Spirituality · Faith · Hope · Love · Death · Mortality · Existentialism · Philosophy · Religion · Theology