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: Easy (6th Grade)
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
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- 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