The Annunciation by Joyce Kilmer
The poem describes the moment when the angel Gabriel appears to Mary and announces that she will bear a son who will be the Son of God. The speaker portrays the scene in vivid detail, emphasizing the contrast between the ordinary setting of the home and the extraordinary event unfolding within it.
By Joyce Kilmer · First published 1915 · Genre: Religious Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Spiritual Literature · 183 words
First lines
(For Helen Parry Eden)
"Hail Mary, full of grace," the Angel saith. Our Lady bows her head, and is ashamed; She has a Bridegroom Who may not be named, Her mortal flesh bears Him Who conquers death. Now in the dust her spirit grovelleth; Too bright a Sun before her eyes has flamed, Too fair a herald joy too high proclaimed, And human lips have trembled in God's breath.
O Mother-Maid, thou art ashamed to cover With thy white self, whereon no stain can be, Thy God, Who came from Heaven to be thy Lover, Thy God, Who came from Heaven to dwell in thee. About thy head celestial legions hover, Chanting the praise of thy humility.
What this Textopian page supports
The Annunciation is listed on Textopian as a poem by Joyce Kilmer, dated 1915 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: 1915 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Religious Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Spiritual Literature, Narrative Poetry, Symbolism
- Length: 183 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Annunciation by Joyce Kilmer
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Religious Poetry — The work explores themes of divinity, humility, and the Annunciation, central to Christian beliefs.
- Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Spiritual Literature — The text delves into spiritual themes and the relationship between the divine and the human.
- Narrative Poetry — The poem tells a story through its depiction of the Annunciation event.
Tags
Poetry · Religious · Christianity · Mary · Angel · Annunciation · Spirituality · Faith · Devotion · Mystery · Symbolism · Imagery