Ballad of Three by Joyce Kilmer
The poem is a lyrical and introspective work that explores the themes of love, loss, and memory. It consists of three stanzas, each of which presents a different perspective on the speaker's relationship with a woman who has died. In the first stanza, the speaker describes the woman as a beautiful and vibrant presence in his life, whose death has left him feeling empty and alone. The second stanza shifts to a more introspective tone, as the speaker reflects on the memories of their time together and the ways in which they have been preserved in his mind. The third stanza presents a more melancholic view, as the speaker acknowledges that even these memories are fading with time, leaving him with only a sense of longing and regret. Throughout the poem, the speaker's use of imagery and metaphor creates a rich and evocative portrait of love and loss.
By Joyce Kilmer · First published 1913 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Narrative Poetry, Romanticism · 355 words
First lines
Upon the river's brink she stands / And tastes the dawn's white breath. / She wrings her slender, silver hands, / "God's curse on love," she saith. / "Love binds me with his cruel bands / That break not save with death."
"Now Geoffrey is a huntsman bold / And slays the mountain deer, / And Hugh plows up the fragrant mold / And plucks the ripened ear. / In friendship would these twain grow old / Did I not dwell anear.
What this Textopian page supports
Ballad of Three is listed on Textopian as a poem by Joyce Kilmer, dated 1913 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: 1913 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Narrative Poetry, Romanticism, Tragedy, Ballad
- Length: 355 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Ballad of Three 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
Similar titles
- Faery Morris by Madison Cawein
- Clearing by Madison Cawein
- Elphin by Madison Cawein
- Premonition by Robert W. Service
- A Coign Of The Forest by Madison Cawein
- The Path To Faery by Madison Cawein
Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The work expresses deep personal emotions and reflections on love, making it a prime example of lyric poetry.
- Narrative Poetry — The poem tells a story involving characters and a conflict, characteristic of narrative poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of love, nature, and individual emotion align with the principles of Romanticism.
- Tragedy — The poem explores themes of conflict and sorrow, particularly the tragic consequences of love.
Tags
Poetry · Narrative · Folklore · Mythology · Symbolism · Imagery · Metaphor · Allegory · Fantasy · Realism · Literary Fiction · Short Story