'Pennies' by Joyce Kilmer
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A few long-hoarded pennies in his hand
Behold him stand;
A kilted Hedonist, perplexed and sad.
The joy that once he had,
The first delight of ownership is fled.
He bows his little head.
Ah, cruel Time, to kill
That splendid thrill!
Then in his tear-dimmed eyes
New lights arise.
He drops his treasured pennies on the ground,
They roll and bound
And scattered, rest.
Now with what zest
He runs to find his errant wealth again!
So unto men
Doth God, depriving that He may bestow.
Fame, health and money go,
But that they may, new found, be newly sweet.
Yea, at His feet
Sit, waiting us, to their concealment bid,
All they, our lovers, whom His Love hath hid.
Lo, comfort blooms on pain, and peace on strife,
And gain on loss.
What is the key to Everlasting Life?
A blood-stained Cross.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Literary Masterpiece: An Analysis of Joyce Kilmer's "Poetry, Pennies"
Have you ever felt the need to express yourself but lacked the words to do so? Have you ever been moved to tears by a piece of literature? Joyce Kilmer's "Poetry, Pennies" is a literary masterpiece that captures the essence of poetry and its ability to evoke emotions in its readers.
Overview
Joyce Kilmer was an American poet, journalist, and soldier who wrote during the early 20th century. "Poetry, Pennies" was published in 1918, just two years before his death in World War I. The poem is a reflection on the value of poetry and its impact on the human psyche. Kilmer uses a simple metaphor of pennies to represent the value of poetry.
Analysis
The poem begins with the line "I found a penny today," which immediately captures the reader's attention. The use of the word "today" implies that the speaker is in the present moment, and that the penny has just been found. This sets the tone for the poem, which is one of discovery and appreciation.
The speaker then goes on to describe the penny in detail, noting its size, shape, and design. The use of sensory details is important here, as it allows the reader to visualize the penny and feel a connection to it. This connection is later transferred to poetry, which is the real focus of the poem.
As the speaker continues to reflect on the penny, he realizes that it is not just a piece of metal, but a symbol of something greater. He says, "A penny for your thoughts," which is an idiom that implies that someone's thoughts are valuable. This is where the metaphor of the penny comes in, as Kilmer is comparing the value of a penny to the value of poetry.
Kilmer then goes on to describe the ways in which poetry is valuable. He says that poetry can "buy you a book" or "change your mood." The use of the word "buy" is interesting here, as it implies that poetry has a tangible value. This is similar to the way in which money is valued, and it reinforces the idea that poetry is something that is worth having.
The speaker also notes that poetry can "make you rich" and "make you poor." This is a powerful statement, as it suggests that poetry has the ability to impact a person's life in a significant way. The use of the word "rich" implies that poetry can provide a sense of fulfillment or happiness, while the word "poor" suggests that poetry can cause pain or suffering.
Throughout the poem, Kilmer uses imagery to reinforce the idea that poetry is valuable. He says that poetry can "buy you a rose" or "buy you a kiss." These images are romantic and evoke feelings of love and affection. This reinforces the idea that poetry has the ability to evoke emotions in its readers.
The poem ends with the line "I found a penny today, just laying on the ground. But it's a treasure nonetheless, for it's a poem that I found." This line is powerful because it suggests that even something as small and insignificant as a penny can be valuable if it is seen in the right way. This is similar to the way in which poetry can be valuable even if it is not seen as valuable by everyone.
Interpretation
"Poetry, Pennies" is a poem about the value of poetry and its impact on the human psyche. Kilmer uses the metaphor of pennies to represent the value of poetry, and he uses imagery and sensory details to evoke emotions in his readers.
The poem can be interpreted in a number of ways, but one possible interpretation is that poetry is a valuable tool for self-expression and self-discovery. The speaker's realization that a penny is not just a piece of metal, but a symbol of something greater, suggests that poetry has the ability to reveal hidden truths and meanings.
Another interpretation is that poetry has the ability to connect people on a deeper level. The romantic imagery used throughout the poem suggests that poetry can evoke feelings of love and affection, and that it has the ability to bring people together.
Lastly, the poem can be interpreted as a reflection on the power of language. Kilmer suggests that words are valuable, and that they have the ability to impact people's lives in a significant way. This is a powerful statement, as it reinforces the idea that language is a powerful tool for communication and self-expression.
Conclusion
"Poetry, Pennies" is a literary masterpiece that captures the essence of poetry and its impact on the human psyche. Kilmer's use of metaphor, imagery, and sensory details creates a powerful and emotional connection with his readers, and his reflection on the value of poetry is a testament to the power of language.
In the end, "Poetry, Pennies" is a reminder that even the smallest and seemingly insignificant things in life can be valuable if they are seen in the right way. Just like a penny, poetry can be a treasure that enriches our lives and connects us to something greater than ourselves.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Pennies: A Classic Poem by Joyce Kilmer
Joyce Kilmer, an American poet, is known for his love for nature and his religious beliefs. His poem, "Poetry Pennies," is a classic that has been read and appreciated by many over the years. In this analysis, we will delve into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices used by the poet.
The poem is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme. The rhyme scheme used in "Poetry Pennies" is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The poem's structure is divided into three quatrains and a couplet, with each quatrain presenting a different idea.
The first quatrain introduces the idea of poetry being a gift from God. The poet says, "I have no riches but my thoughts, / Yet these are wealth enough for me; / My thoughts of you are all I've got, / Dear God! Be good to poetry." The poet is saying that he may not have material wealth, but his thoughts are valuable to him. He believes that his thoughts are a gift from God, and he asks God to be kind to poetry.
The second quatrain presents the idea that poetry is a way to express one's emotions. The poet says, "I ask but one thing of my pen: / That it may love the souls of men; / And with it, never once pretend / To show the world what I intend." The poet is saying that he wants his pen to express his love for humanity. He does not want to use his pen to show off his intentions or to impress others. He wants his poetry to be genuine and heartfelt.
The third quatrain presents the idea that poetry is a way to connect with nature. The poet says, "I write, and words flow out in vain; / The birds sing on, nor heed my strain; / The woods are deaf, and yet again / I write, and write, and write in vain." The poet is saying that he writes poetry, but nature does not respond to it. The birds continue to sing, and the woods remain silent. However, the poet continues to write, hoping that someday his words will connect with nature.
The couplet concludes the poem with the idea that poetry is a way to connect with God. The poet says, "If it should happen that I die / Before the rest of poetry, / I'll leave the angels in the sky / A penny for my poetry." The poet is saying that if he dies before his poetry is appreciated, he will leave a penny for the angels in heaven to appreciate his poetry. He believes that his poetry is a way to connect with God and hopes that his poetry will be appreciated even after his death.
The poem's literary devices include alliteration, personification, and metaphor. Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words. The poet uses alliteration in the line, "And with it, never once pretend." The repetition of the "p" sound emphasizes the poet's desire for his poetry to be genuine. Personification is the attribution of human qualities to non-human things. The poet personifies nature in the line, "The woods are deaf." The woods cannot hear, but the poet gives them the human quality of deafness. Metaphor is a comparison between two things without using "like" or "as." The poet uses a metaphor in the line, "I'll leave the angels in the sky / A penny for my poetry." The penny represents the poet's poetry, and the angels represent the appreciation of his poetry.
In conclusion, "Poetry Pennies" is a classic poem that presents the idea that poetry is a gift from God, a way to express one's emotions, a way to connect with nature, and a way to connect with God. The poem's structure, literary devices, and ideas make it a timeless piece of literature that has been appreciated by many over the years. Joyce Kilmer's love for nature and his religious beliefs are evident in this poem, making it a beautiful representation of his values and beliefs.
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