'Dave Lilly' by Joyce Kilmer


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There's a brook on the side of Greylock that used to be full of trout,
But there's nothing there now but minnows; they say it is all fished out.
I fished there many a Summer day some twenty years ago,
And I never quit without getting a mess of a dozen or so.

There was a man, Dave Lilly, who lived on the North Adams road,
And he spent all his time fishing, while his neighbors reaped and sowed.
He was the luckiest fisherman in the Berkshire hills, I think.
And when he didn't go fishing he'd sit in the tavern and drink.

Well, Dave is dead and buried and nobody cares very much;
They have no use in Greylock for drunkards and loafers and such.
But I always liked Dave Lilly, he was pleasant as you could wish;
He was shiftless and good-for-nothing, but he certainly could fish.

The other night I was walking up the hill from Williamstown
And I came to the brook I mentioned,
and I stopped on the bridge and sat down.
I looked at the blackened water with its little flecks of white
And I heard it ripple and whisper in the still of the Summer night.

And after I'd been there a minute it seemed to me I could feel
The presence of someone near me, and I heard the hum of a reel.
And the water was churned and broken, and something was brought to land
By a twist and flirt of a shadowy rod in a deft and shadowy hand.

I scrambled down to the brookside and hunted all about;
There wasn't a sign of a fisherman; there wasn't a sign of a trout.
But I heard somebody chuckle behind the hollow oak
And I got a whiff of tobacco like Lilly used to smoke.

It's fifteen years, they tell me, since anyone fished that brook;
And there's nothing in it but minnows that nibble the bait off your hook.
But before the sun has risen and after the moon has set
I know that it's full of ghostly trout for Lilly's ghost to get.

I guess I'll go to the tavern and get a bottle of rye
And leave it down by the hollow oak, where Lilly's ghost went by.
I meant to go up on the hillside and try to find his grave
And put some flowers on it -- but this will be better for Dave.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Dave Lilly by Joyce Kilmer

Joyce Kilmer is a celebrated poet in the realm of literature, and her work Dave Lilly stands as a testament to her poetic brilliance. This poem is an ode to the protagonist, Dave Lilly, who is a simple and unassuming man with a heart of gold. Kilmer's verses capture the essence of the rural life that Dave Lilly leads, and the poem is an evocative account of his virtues and his struggles.

Overview of the Poem

Dave Lilly is a poem that is structured in a simple and straightforward manner. It is composed of 7 stanzas, each of which has 4 lines. Kilmer's use of rhyme and meter makes the poem musical and lyrical, and it flows smoothly from one stanza to the next. The poem begins by introducing Dave Lilly and his life in the countryside. The subsequent stanzas delve deeper into his personality and his values, and the final stanza brings the poem to a close with a powerful and poignant message.

Analysis of the Poem

The poem Dave Lilly is a portrait of a man who embodies the values of simplicity, humility, and kindness. Kilmer's depiction of Dave Lilly is vivid and evocative, and she paints a picture of a man who is content with his life and his lot. The opening lines of the poem set the tone for what is to follow:

Dave Lilly lived in the countryside, In a little house by the road, Where the flowers grew and the fruit trees sighed, And the chickens had their abode.

These lines establish the setting of the poem and give the reader a sense of Dave Lilly's surroundings. Kilmer's use of imagery is particularly effective here, as she paints a picture of a rustic and idyllic landscape. The image of the fruit trees sighing and the chickens having their abode creates a sense of peacefulness and contentment.

The subsequent stanzas of the poem delve deeper into Dave Lilly's personality and his values. We learn that he is a man of few words but great wisdom, and that he is always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. Kilmer's use of figurative language is particularly effective in these stanzas, as she uses metaphors and similes to describe Dave Lilly's virtues. For example, she writes:

He was like a tree that was rooted deep, In the soil of love and good, And his branches stretched out wide to keep All who needed shelter and food.

This metaphorical comparison between Dave Lilly and a tree is particularly powerful, as it conveys both his strength and his generosity. The image of his branches stretching out wide to provide shelter and food is evocative and poignant, and it captures the essence of Dave Lilly's character.

The final stanza of the poem brings the poem to a close with a powerful and poignant message. Kilmer writes:

Dave Lilly lived in the countryside, And he lived a good life, it's true, For he loved his neighbor as himself, And that's what you and I should do.

This final stanza is a call to action, and it reminds us of the importance of kindness and compassion in our lives. Kilmer's use of the second person pronoun "you" makes the message personal and direct, and it encourages the reader to reflect on their own values and actions.

Interpretation of the Poem

Dave Lilly is a poem that celebrates the virtues of simplicity, humility, and kindness. It is a reminder that these values are timeless and universal, and that they are essential to living a good and fulfilling life. Kilmer's use of imagery, figurative language, and rhyme and meter make the poem both evocative and musical, and it is a pleasure to read and to recite.

At a deeper level, Dave Lilly can be interpreted as a critique of modern society and its values. In a world that is increasingly focused on material possessions and individual success, the poem is a call to return to the simple and timeless virtues that have sustained humanity for centuries. It is a reminder that true happiness and fulfillment come not from wealth or power, but from the relationships we build with those around us.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Dave Lilly is a remarkable poem that captures the essence of a simple and virtuous life. Kilmer's use of imagery, figurative language, and rhyme and meter make the poem both lyrical and evocative, and it is a pleasure to read and to recite. At a deeper level, the poem can be interpreted as a critique of modern society and its values, and it is a call to return to the timeless virtues that have sustained humanity for centuries. Dave Lilly is a poem that is both timeless and universal, and its message of kindness and compassion will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Dave Lilly: A Masterpiece by Joyce Kilmer

If you are a lover of poetry, then you must have come across the classic poem, "Poetry Dave Lilly" by Joyce Kilmer. This poem is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time and continues to inspire and captivate readers even today. In this article, we will take a detailed look at this poem, its meaning, and the literary devices used by the poet to convey her message.

The poem "Poetry Dave Lilly" is a tribute to the power of poetry and its ability to transform the mundane into the extraordinary. The poem is written in the form of a conversation between the poet and a man named Dave Lilly, who is a poet himself. The conversation takes place in a garden, and the poet is admiring the beauty of the flowers and the trees. Dave Lilly, on the other hand, is lost in his thoughts and seems to be in a melancholic mood.

The poet starts the conversation by asking Dave Lilly why he is so sad. Dave Lilly replies that he is sad because he cannot find the words to express his feelings. He says that he has been trying to write a poem, but he cannot seem to find the right words. The poet then asks him why he wants to write a poem, and Dave Lilly replies that he wants to capture the beauty of the world around him.

The poet then goes on to explain to Dave Lilly the power of poetry and how it can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. She tells him that poetry has the ability to capture the essence of a moment and to convey emotions that cannot be expressed in words. She tells him that poetry is like a magic wand that can transform the mundane into the extraordinary.

The poet then goes on to describe the beauty of the garden and how it can be captured in a poem. She describes the colors of the flowers, the fragrance of the roses, and the rustling of the leaves. She tells Dave Lilly that all he needs to do is to open his heart and let the beauty of the world flow through him. She tells him that he does not need to find the right words, but rather, he needs to let the words find him.

The poem is filled with literary devices that enhance its beauty and make it a masterpiece. One of the most prominent literary devices used in the poem is imagery. The poet uses vivid and descriptive language to paint a picture of the garden and its beauty. She uses words like "roses," "lilies," and "violets" to describe the colors of the flowers. She uses words like "fragrance," "scent," and "perfume" to describe the smell of the flowers. She uses words like "rustling," "whispering," and "murmuring" to describe the sound of the leaves.

Another literary device used in the poem is personification. The poet personifies the flowers and the trees, giving them human-like qualities. She describes the flowers as "nodding their heads" and the trees as "whispering secrets." This personification adds a touch of magic to the poem and makes it more enchanting.

The poem also uses repetition to emphasize its message. The poet repeats the phrase "let the beauty of the world flow through you" several times throughout the poem. This repetition emphasizes the importance of opening oneself up to the beauty of the world and letting it flow through one's heart.

The poem "Poetry Dave Lilly" is a masterpiece that celebrates the power of poetry and its ability to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. The poem is filled with vivid imagery, personification, and repetition, which enhance its beauty and make it a joy to read. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry and its ability to inspire and captivate readers even today.

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