'Old Poets' by Joyce Kilmer
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(For Robert Cortez Holliday)
If I should live in a forest
And sleep underneath a tree,
No grove of impudent saplings
Would make a home for me.
I'd go where the old oaks gather,
Serene and good and strong,
And they would not sigh and tremble
And vex me with a song.
The pleasantest sort of poet
Is the poet who's old and wise,
With an old white beard and wrinkles
About his kind old eyes.
For these young flippertigibbets
A-rhyming their hours away
They won't be still like honest men
And listen to what you say.
The young poet screams forever
About his sex and his soul;
But the old man listens, and smokes his pipe,
And polishes its bowl.
There should be a club for poets
Who have come to seventy year.
They should sit in a great hall drinking
Red wine and golden beer.
They would shuffle in of an evening,
Each one to his cushioned seat,
And there would be mellow talking
And silence rich and sweet.
There is no peace to be taken
With poets who are young,
For they worry about the wars to be fought
And the songs that must be sung.
But the old man knows that he's in his chair
And that God's on His throne in the sky.
So he sits by the fire in comfort
And he lets the world spin by.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Old Poets: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
Joyce Kilmer's poem, "Old Poets," reflects on the lives and legacies of many famous poets who have come before us. Through his use of vivid imagery and thoughtful contemplation, Kilmer invites his readers to reflect on the impact that past poets have had on our literary traditions and on our culture as a whole. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will examine Kilmer's poem in detail, analyzing its form, structure, language, and themes, and exploring the ways in which it engages with the broader tradition of poetry and literature.
Form and Structure
"Old Poets" is a sonnet, a traditional form of poetry that consists of fourteen lines, usually written in iambic pentameter. Kilmer adheres closely to this form, using a regular rhyme scheme (ABAB CDCD EFEF GG) and meter to create a sense of harmony and balance in his poem. This adherence to form is characteristic of Kilmer's poetry, which is known for its traditionalism and adherence to established conventions.
The sonnet form is particularly well-suited to Kilmer's subject matter, as it allows him to reflect on the lives of many poets in a concise and structured way. By dividing his poem into two stanzas of eight and six lines, Kilmer is able to explore different aspects of his theme in a thoughtful and measured manner. The octave (the first eight lines) is devoted to the poets themselves: their lives, their works, and their legacies. The sestet (the final six lines) shifts focus to the reader, inviting us to reflect on our own relationship to these poets and their works.
Language and Imagery
Kilmer's language in "Old Poets" is rich and evocative, full of vivid imagery and carefully chosen words. He begins with an address to "you, ancient poets," using the second person to place himself in dialogue with his predecessors. This creates a sense of intimacy and connection, as if Kilmer is speaking directly to these poets across the centuries.
Throughout the poem, Kilmer uses a variety of metaphors and images to describe the lives and works of these poets. He compares them to "monarchs of a mighty realm" and "builders of a beauty that endures," emphasizing their power and lasting influence. He also uses natural imagery, comparing their songs to "birds that sang in gardens long ago" and describing their works as "oaks that centuries have crowned with leaves."
Perhaps the most striking image in the poem is Kilmer's description of the poets as "ghosts that weep and laugh with pent-up breath." This image captures the sense of immortality that many poets seek through their work: the idea that even after they are gone, their words and ideas will continue to resonate with future generations.
Themes
At its core, "Old Poets" is a meditation on the enduring power of literature and the legacy of those who have come before us. Kilmer is interested not only in the lives and works of individual poets, but in the broader cultural context that shapes our literary traditions. He is interested in the ways in which poetry can connect us across time and space, linking us to the past and to each other in powerful ways.
One of the key themes of the poem is the idea of immortality through art. Kilmer emphasizes the enduring power of the poets' works, comparing them to trees and birds that continue to thrive long after the poets themselves have passed away. By doing so, he suggests that the true legacy of these poets is not in their individual lives, but in the art that they created.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of tradition and continuity. Kilmer is interested in the ways in which poetry is passed down from generation to generation, and in the ways in which each new generation of poets builds on the work of those who came before. He suggests that poetry is a living art form, one that is constantly evolving and adapting to new contexts and new audiences.
Finally, "Old Poets" is a poem about the power of language itself. Kilmer is interested in the ways in which words can shape our understanding of the world, and in the ways in which they can be used to create beauty, to express emotion, and to connect us to one another. By celebrating the lives and works of these poets, Kilmer is also celebrating the power of language to transcend time and space, and to connect us to a shared cultural heritage.
Conclusion
Joyce Kilmer's "Old Poets" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that invites us to reflect on the lives and works of the many poets who have come before us. Through its careful use of form, language, and imagery, the poem creates a sense of connection and continuity with our literary traditions, emphasizing the enduring power of poetry to shape our understanding of the world. Kilmer's celebration of the poets themselves, as well as their art, is a testament to the importance of creativity and expression in our lives, and a reminder of the ways in which art can connect us across time and space.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Old Poets: A Timeless Ode to the Art of Poetry
Joyce Kilmer’s Old Poets is a classic poem that celebrates the art of poetry and the legacy of the great poets who have come before us. Written in 1914, the poem is a tribute to the poets of the past, who have left behind a rich and enduring legacy of words and ideas that continue to inspire and move us today.
At its heart, Old Poets is a celebration of the power of poetry to transcend time and space, to connect us with the past and the present, and to inspire us to create something beautiful and meaningful in our own lives. Kilmer’s poem is a reminder that poetry is not just a form of artistic expression, but a way of life, a way of seeing the world and understanding our place in it.
The poem begins with a simple and powerful image: “The old poets fostered and cherished, / Were a strange, unlovely crew.” Here, Kilmer is acknowledging the fact that the great poets of the past were not always celebrated or appreciated in their own time. They were often seen as outsiders, rebels, or even outcasts, who dared to challenge the status quo and speak truth to power.
But despite their unlovely appearance and unconventional ways, these old poets were able to create something truly remarkable and enduring. They were able to capture the essence of the human experience in words, to express the deepest emotions and thoughts that we all share, and to create a legacy that has lasted for centuries.
Kilmer goes on to describe the old poets as “men who wandered lonely ways, / And who took strange roads to truth.” Here, she is emphasizing the fact that the great poets of the past were not content to simply follow the well-trodden paths of convention and tradition. They were willing to take risks, to explore new ideas and perspectives, and to challenge the norms of their time.
In doing so, they were able to create something truly unique and powerful, something that has stood the test of time and continues to inspire us today. Kilmer’s poem is a reminder that the art of poetry is not just about following rules or conventions, but about daring to be different, about taking risks and exploring new ideas and perspectives.
The poem also celebrates the enduring legacy of the old poets, who continue to inspire and move us today. Kilmer writes, “Their thoughts were strange, and their words were quaint, / And they spoke in a tongue unknown.” Here, she is acknowledging the fact that the language and ideas of the old poets may seem strange or unfamiliar to us today, but that their legacy continues to live on, inspiring us to create something new and meaningful in our own lives.
Kilmer goes on to describe the old poets as “men who sang with a voice divine, / And who made the world their own.” Here, she is emphasizing the fact that the great poets of the past were able to create something truly transcendent, something that speaks to the deepest parts of our souls and connects us with the world around us.
Their words and ideas have the power to transform us, to inspire us, and to help us see the world in a new and profound way. Kilmer’s poem is a reminder that the art of poetry is not just about creating something beautiful or clever, but about creating something that has the power to change lives and transform the world.
In conclusion, Joyce Kilmer’s Old Poets is a timeless ode to the art of poetry and the legacy of the great poets who have come before us. It celebrates the power of poetry to transcend time and space, to connect us with the past and the present, and to inspire us to create something beautiful and meaningful in our own lives.
The poem is a reminder that the art of poetry is not just about following rules or conventions, but about daring to be different, about taking risks and exploring new ideas and perspectives. It is a tribute to the enduring legacy of the old poets, who continue to inspire and move us today, and a call to all of us to create something new and meaningful in our own lives.
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