The Snowman in the Yard
This poem is a nostalgic and melancholic reflection on childhood memories of building snowmen. It describes the speaker's fondness for creating these winter structures, but also acknowledges their impermanence and eventual disappearance with the arrival of spring. The poem explores themes of nostalgia, loss, and the fleeting nature of childhood innocence.
By Joyce Kilmer · First published 1908 · Genre: Poetry, Literary Fiction, Children's Literature · 422 words
First lines
(For Thomas Augustine Daly)
The Judge's house has a splendid porch, with pillars and steps of stone, And the Judge has a lovely flowering hedge that came from across the seas; In the Hales' garage you could put my house and everything I own, And the Hales have a lawn like an emerald and a row of poplar trees.
What this Textopian page supports
The Snowman in the Yard is listed on Textopian as a poem by Joyce Kilmer, dated 1908 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: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Literary Fiction, Children's Literature, Seasonal Literature, Philosophical Literature
- Length: 422 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Snowman in the Yard by Joyce Kilmer
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Snowman in the Yard?
- How does this poem by Joyce Kilmer fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Up And Down Old Brandywine by James Whitcomb Riley
- The Katydids by James Whitcomb Riley
- Little Bun Rabbit by L. Frank Baum
- Song by Oliver Herford
- A Feel In The Chrismas Air by James Whitcomb Riley
- The Frog by James Whitcomb Riley
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhythm and imagery typical of poetry.
- Literary Fiction — The themes explore personal values and the contrast between material wealth and simple joys.
- Children's Literature — The subject matter, including a snowman and the perspective of a child, appeals to a younger audience.
- Seasonal Literature — The poem centers around winter and the experiences associated with the season.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Winter · Snowman · Childhood · Imagination · Fantasy · Literary Fiction · Symbolism · Metaphor · Personification · Seasonal