Mid-Ocean in War-Time by Joyce Kilmer
The poem describes a scene of war at sea, where the speaker reflects on the futility and horror of conflict. The poem's central image is that of a ship in the middle of the ocean, surrounded by death and destruction. The speaker notes the contrast between the peacefulness of nature and the brutality of war.
By Joyce Kilmer · First published 1918 · Genre: War Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Imagism · 165 words
First lines
(For My Mother)
The fragile splendour of the level sea, / The moon's serene and silver-veilèd face, / Make of this vessel an enchanted place / Full of white mirth and golden sorcery. / Now, for a time, shall careless laughter be / Blended with song, to lend song sweeter grace, / And the old stars, in their unending race, / Shall heed and envy young humanity.
And yet to-night, a hundred leagues away, / These waters blush a strange and awful red. / Before the moon, a cloud obscenely grey / Rises from decks that crash with flying lead. / And these stars smile their immemorial way / On waves that shroud a thousand newly dead!
What this Textopian page supports
Mid-Ocean in War-Time 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: War Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Imagism, Romanticism, Elegy
- Length: 165 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Mid-Ocean in War-Time 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
- The Silent Victors May 30 1878 by James Whitcomb Riley
- The Oxford Thrushes February 1917 Enter America by Henry Van Dyke
- When The Sixty Ninth Comes Back by Joyce Kilmer
- Mirage Du Cantonment by Joyce Kilmer
- March by Madison Cawein
- To A Lost Comrade by Olive Tilford Dargan
Genres
- War Poetry — The work reflects the themes of war, contrasting beauty and violence, typical of war poetry.
- Lyric Poetry — The use of personal emotion and vivid imagery aligns with the characteristics of lyric poetry.
- Imagism — The focus on precise imagery and clear language is indicative of the Imagist movement.
- Romanticism — The exploration of nature and human emotion connects to Romantic themes.
Tags
War Literature · Poetry Collection · WWI Poetry · American Literature · Oceanic Imagery · Imagism Movement · Symbolism · Nature Writing · Patriotism · Nationalism · Military Service · Soldier's Experience