The Cathedral of Rheims by Joyce Kilmer
This poem describes a cathedral's beauty and grandeur, comparing it to the human form. The speaker likens the cathedral's columns to arms, its arches to shoulders, and its vaulted ceiling to a crown. The poem emphasizes the cathedral's majesty and the way it inspires awe in those who behold it.
By Joyce Kilmer · First published 1920 · Genre: Poetry, Historical, Religious · 1,008 words
First lines
(From the French of Émile Verhaeren)
He who walks through the meadows of Champagne / At noon in Fall, when leaves like gold appear, / Sees it draw near / Like some great mountain set upon the plain, / From radiant dawn until the close of day, / Nearer it grows / To him who goes / Across the country. When tall towers lay / Their shadowy pall / Upon his way, / He enters, where / The solid stone is hollowed deep by all / Its centuries of beauty and of prayer.
What this Textopian page supports
The Cathedral of Rheims is listed on Textopian as a poem by Joyce Kilmer, dated 1920 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: 1920 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Historical, Religious, War Literature, Lyrical
- Length: 1,008 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Cathedral of Rheims by Joyce Kilmer
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices such as imagery, metaphor, and rhythm.
- Historical — The poem reflects on historical events and figures, particularly related to the cathedral's significance in French history.
- Religious — Themes of faith, spirituality, and the sacredness of the cathedral are central to the work.
- War Literature — The poem addresses the impact of war on beauty and faith, depicting destruction and loss.
Tags
Cathedral · Architecture · Poetry · Description · Imagery · Symbolism · Beauty · Faith · Spirituality · Medieval · History · Culture