Martin by Joyce Kilmer (1918)
The poem describes a tree that stands tall and proud, its beauty and strength admired by all who see it. The speaker expresses their love for the tree and the joy it brings them. However, they also acknowledge the inevitability of the tree's eventual decline and death.
By Joyce Kilmer · First published 1918 · Genre: Poetry, Lyric, Romanticism · 401 words
First lines
When I am tired of earnest men, Intense and keen and sharp and clever, Pursuing fame with brush or pen, Or counting metal disks forever, Then from the halls of Shadowland, Beyond the trackless purple sea, Old Martin's ghost comes back to stand Beside my desk and talk to me.
Still on his delicate pale face A quizzical thin smile is showing, His cheeks are wrinkled like fine lace, His kind blue eyes are gay and glowing. He wears a brilliant-hued cravat, A suit to match his soft grey hair, A rakish stick, a knowing hat, A manner blithe and debonair.
What this Textopian page supports
Martin 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, Lyric, Romanticism, Elegy, Philosophical
- Length: 401 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Martin 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
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhythm and meter characteristic of poetry.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections, focusing on themes of beauty and appreciation.
- Romanticism — The themes of beauty, nature, and individual experience align with Romantic ideals.
- Elegy — The poem reflects on life, loss, and the legacy of the character, evoking a sense of mourning.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Symbolism · Imagery · Metaphor · Personification · Alliteration · Enjambment · Free Verse · American Literature · Early 20th Century · Regionalism