Mount Houvenkopf by Joyce Kilmer
The poem describes a mountain's rugged beauty and the speaker's awe at its grandeur. The mountain's peak is shrouded in mist, but its presence is felt throughout the landscape. The speaker notes the way the mountain's slopes are clothed in trees and wildflowers, creating a vibrant tapestry of color and life.
By Joyce Kilmer · First published 1916 · Genre: Poetry, Nature, Philosophical · 160 words
First lines
Serene he stands, with mist serenely crowned, And draws a cloak of trees about his breast. The thunder roars but cannot break his rest And from his rugged face the tempests bound. He does not heed the angry lightning's wound, The raging blizzard is his harmless guest, And human life is but a passing jest To him who sees Time spin the years around.
But fragile souls, in skyey reaches find High vantage-points and view him from afar. How low he seems to the ascended mind, How brief he seems where all things endless are; This little playmate of the mighty wind, This young companion of an ancient star.
What this Textopian page supports
Mount Houvenkopf 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: Poetry, Nature, Philosophical, Romanticism, Lyric
- Length: 160 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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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 imagery typical of poetic expression.
- Nature — The themes revolve around the natural world, particularly the depiction of a mountain and its relationship with the elements.
- Philosophical — The text explores existential themes, reflecting on time, human life, and the insignificance of humanity in the face of nature.
- Romanticism — The work embodies elements of Romanticism, emphasizing emotion, nature, and the sublime.
Tags
Mountain · Nature · Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Symbolism · Imagery · Metaphor · Allegory · Folklore · Mythology · Spirituality