Roofs by Joyce Kilmer (1918)
The poem explores the theme of impermanence and the fleeting nature of life. It describes a tree's growth from a sapling to its eventual decline and death, with its roof-like branches eventually falling to the ground. The speaker reflects on how all things must come to an end, including human life.
By Joyce Kilmer · First published 1918 · Genre: Poetry, Lyric, Nature · 347 words
First lines
(For Amelia Josephine Burr)
The road is wide and the stars are out and the breath of the night is sweet, And this is the time when wanderlust should seize upon my feet. But I'm glad to turn from the open road and the starlight on my face, And to leave the splendour of out-of-doors for a human dwelling place.
What this Textopian page supports
Roofs 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, Nature, Philosophical, Narrative
- Length: 347 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- A Snow Song Of Skies And Seasons by Henry Van Dyke
- Theres Nothing Like The Sun by Edward Thomas
- Stanzas by Edgar Allan Poe
- Summer by Madison Cawein
- Still Will I Harvest Beauty by Edna St Vincent Millay
- The Last Sonnet by John Keats
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhythm and imagery characteristic of poetry.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal feelings and reflections on home and wanderlust, typical of lyric poetry.
- Nature — Themes of nature and the outdoors are prevalent, contrasting the beauty of the natural world with the comfort of home.
- Philosophical — The poem explores deeper meanings about life, belonging, and the human experience.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Trees · Beauty · Imagery · Symbolism · Metaphor · Simile · Personification · Alliteration · Onomatopoeia · Free Verse