The Dead Lover by Joyce Kilmer
This poem is a lament for a dead lover who has been lost to the speaker due to war. The speaker expresses their grief and longing for the deceased, describing them as beautiful and kind. They also express regret over not being able to be with the lover in life. The poem's tone is melancholic and nostalgic, conveying the pain of loss and separation.
By Joyce Kilmer · First published 1918 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Elegy · 157 words
First lines
I tire of lovely faces free from pain And free from sin; Here none with lips wet with the crimson stain May enter in. One thing I lack, and lacking it, am dead -- A woman's heart. "She cannot enter here," an angel said; I will depart.
I have one prayer that I will make to God, That I may stay Where lies my body underneath the sod. Then night and day I shall be where my dear false love may pass; It will be sweet To hear above my head, upon the grass, Her little feet.
What this Textopian page supports
The Dead Lover 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: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Elegy, Symbolism, Spiritual
- Length: 157 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The work employs personal emotion and reflection, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of love, loss, and longing align with Romantic ideals.
- Elegy — The poem reflects on death and mourning, typical of elegiac poetry.
- Symbolism — The use of symbols to convey deeper meanings about love and loss is prevalent.
Tags
Poetry · Romance · Tragedy · Love · Loss · Grief · Mourning · Death · Elegy · Ballad · Narrative · Verse