The Use of Night by Joyce Kilmer
This poem explores the theme of darkness and light, using night as a metaphor for the unknown and the subconscious. The speaker describes the beauty of the night sky, with its stars and moon, but also acknowledges the fear and uncertainty that can come with it. The poem suggests that even in the darkest moments, there is still beauty to be found, and that the night can be a time for contemplation and introspection.
By Joyce Kilmer · First published 1918 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Nature Poetry · 192 words
First lines
I said: "What is the use of sombre night? " The Moon replied: "To frame my love-wan face. " A fairy dame said: "That my fresh-wove lace May on the grasses catch the Sun's first light. " "That we may keep with song our ancient rite," Croaked glistening frogs from their dank dwelling place. "That I may halt," a man said, "in my race, And rest my eyes that are grown tired of sight."
Your ebon frame, pale Moon, makes you more fair; Weave, gentle neighbor; frogs, pipe loud your song; Sad traveller, be dreamless sleep your share. And I would have night twenty times as long, And clasp my love in some dark bower where The Day could never come to do us wrong.
What this Textopian page supports
The Use of Night 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, Nature Poetry, Symbolism, Philosophical Poetry
- Length: 192 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 expresses personal emotions and thoughts through a structured poetic form.
- Romanticism — Themes of love, nature, and the idealization of night reflect romantic ideals.
- Nature Poetry — The poem incorporates elements of nature, particularly the night and moon, as central motifs.
- Symbolism — The use of night and moon serves as symbols for deeper emotional and existential themes.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Nighttime · Imagery · Symbolism · Mood · Atmosphere · Sensory Details · Figurative Language · Metaphor · Simile · Personification