For a Birthday by Joyce Kilmer
The poem describes the speaker's joy and gratitude for life, comparing it to a birthday cake that is being devoured by time. The speaker reflects on how fleeting life is, but also how precious and beautiful it can be.
By Joyce Kilmer · First published 1914 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Nature Poetry, Romantic Poetry · 531 words
First lines
April with her violets, May and June with roses, Young July with all her flowers, crimson, gold and white, Each in place her tribute sets, Each her wreath composes, Making glad the roadway for the Lady of Delight.
Birds with many colors gay, Through the branches flitting, Sing, to greet my Lady Love, a lusty welcome song. Even bees make holiday, Hive and honey quitting, Tremulous and jubilant they join the eager throng.
What this Textopian page supports
For a Birthday 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: Lyric Poetry, Nature Poetry, Romantic Poetry, Celebratory Poetry, Imagist Poetry
- Length: 531 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for For a Birthday 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 For a Birthday?
- How does this poem by Joyce Kilmer fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Lyric Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- To My Mother by Edgar Allan Poe
- In Memoriam Olivia Susan Clemens by Mark Twain
- My Birthday by John Greenleaf Whittier
- On His Birthday by Dylan Thomas
- To The Memory Of An Affectionate Parent by James Parkerson
- My Boy by James Whitcomb Riley
Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The work expresses personal emotions and feelings, characteristic of lyric poetry, focusing on themes of love and admiration.
- Nature Poetry — The vivid imagery of flowers, seasons, and natural elements highlights the beauty of nature, a common theme in nature poetry.
- Romantic Poetry — The celebration of love and beauty aligns with the ideals of Romanticism, emphasizing emotional depth and connection.
- Celebratory Poetry — The poem serves as a tribute or celebration, fitting the genre of celebratory poetry, particularly in the context of a birthday.
Tags
Poem · Birthday · Celebration · Joy · Love · Family · Childhood · Nostalgia · Sentimental · Romantic · Simple · Heartfelt