Matin by Joyce Kilmer (1916)
The poem describes a morning scene where the speaker reflects on the beauty of nature and the passing of time. The focus is on the changing seasons and the fleeting nature of life. The speaker notes that even the most beautiful moments are short-lived, and that everything must come to an end.
By Joyce Kilmer · First published 1916 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Imagism · 164 words
First lines
Soft purple shadows cloud love-weary eyes, Dawn's saffron glow is on the tossed white bed; Now passion's day, warm fragrant night is fled, A cold grey shroud on Love's bright altar lies. From dusky corners ghostly dreams arise, The pallid wraiths of kisses newly dead, They float and blend above her sleeping head, Her languid red lips quiver as she sighs.
And so, like Adam when in fear and shame He saw God's soldiery in fierce array And sorrowing from Eden's threshold came To bear what pains life on his soul might lay, I see Dawn standing with a sword of flame, And from my Eden turn in grief away.
What this Textopian page supports
Matin is listed on Textopian as a poem by Joyce Kilmer, dated 1916 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: 1916 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Imagism, Symbolism, Elegy
- Length: 164 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Matin 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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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Matin?
- How does this poem by Joyce Kilmer fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Lyric Poetry first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The work employs personal emotion and vivid imagery, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of love, nature, and emotional depth align with the principles of Romanticism.
- Imagism — The use of precise imagery and focus on visual elements reflects Imagist techniques.
- Symbolism — The poem utilizes symbols to convey deeper meanings and emotions.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Imagery · Symbolism · Mood · Atmosphere · Seasonal · Morning · Solitude · Reflection · Contemplation · Peaceful