Poets by Joyce Kilmer (1914)
The poem explores the idea that even the smallest and seemingly insignificant things, like a tree, can be beautiful and worthy of appreciation. It argues that poetry is a way to express this appreciation and to find beauty in everyday life. The speaker suggests that poetry can help people see the world in a new light and appreciate its beauty.
By Joyce Kilmer · First published 1914 · Genre: Poetry, Religious, Philosophical · 90 words
First lines
Vain is the chiming of forgotten bells / That the wind sways above a ruined shrine. / Vainer his voice in whom no longer dwells / Hunger that craves immortal Bread and Wine.
Light songs we breathe that perish with our breath / Out of our lips that have not kissed the rod. / They shall not live who have not tasted death. / They only sing who are struck dumb by God.
Similar titles
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- Be Our Fortunes As They May by James Whitcomb Riley
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- Old Poets by Joyce Kilmer
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is primarily composed of verse, employing rhythm and meter to convey emotions and themes.
- Religious — The themes explore spiritual longing and the divine, reflecting on the relationship between humanity and God.
- Philosophical — The text delves into existential questions about life, death, and the nature of artistic expression.
- Lyric — The work expresses personal feelings and thoughts, characteristic of lyric poetry.
Tags
American Literature · Poetry Collection · Nature Poetry · Symbolism · Imagery · Figurative Language · Free Verse · Modernist Poetry · Early 20th Century · American Poets · Literary Movement · Regionalism
What this Textopian page supports
Poets 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: Poetry, Religious, Philosophical, Lyric, Romantic
- Length: 90 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Poets by Joyce Kilmer
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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