White Marble and Green Grass
The poem explores the contrast between nature's beauty and human impermanence. It describes a serene landscape of white marble and green grass, symbolizing purity and life. However, this tranquility is disrupted by the presence of humans, who are described as being like "white marble" themselves, fragile and susceptible to decay. The poem suggests that even in death, humans can be beautiful, but their existence is fleeting and ephemeral.
By Joyce Kilmer · First published 1908 · Genre: Poetry, Lyric, Romanticism · 48 words
First lines
Starlight, sunlight, silver light and gold, All are dark for Love's great flame is cold. Rose wind, garden wind and morning's breath, Are ye stronger than the scent of death?
What this Textopian page supports
White Marble and Green Grass 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, Lyric, Romanticism, Nature, Philosophical
- Length: 48 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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- Work identity for White Marble and Green Grass by Joyce Kilmer
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhythm and imagery typical of poetic forms.
- Lyric — The text expresses personal emotions and thoughts, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of love and nature reflect the ideals of Romanticism, focusing on emotion and individual experience.
- Nature — The imagery of natural elements suggests a strong connection to nature, a common theme in poetry.
Tags
Nature Poetry · Symbolism · Imagery · Sensory Details · Poetic Devices · Figurative Language · Metaphor · Simile · Personification · Alliteration · Assonance · Consonance