'In Memory' by Joyce Kilmer
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I
Serene and beautiful and very wise,
Most erudite in curious Grecian lore,
You lay and read your learned books, and bore
A weight of unshed tears and silent sighs.
The song within your heart could never rise
Until love bade it spread its wings and soar.
Nor could you look on Beauty's face before
A poet's burning mouth had touched your eyes.
Love is made out of ecstasy and wonder;
Love is a poignant and accustomed pain.
It is a burst of Heaven-shaking thunder;
It is a linnet's fluting after rain.
Love's voice is through your song; above and under
And in each note to echo and remain.
II
Because Mankind is glad and brave and young,
Full of gay flames that white and scarlet glow,
All joys and passions that Mankind may know
By you were nobly felt and nobly sung.
Because Mankind's heart every day is wrung
By Fate's wild hands that twist and tear it so,
Therefore you echoed Man's undying woe,
A harp Aeolian on Life's branches hung.
So did the ghosts of toiling children hover
About the piteous portals of your mind;
Your eyes, that looked on glory, could discover
The angry scar to which the world was blind:
And it was grief that made Mankind your lover,
And it was grief that made you love Mankind.
III
Before Christ left the Citadel of Light,
To tread the dreadful way of human birth,
His shadow sometimes fell upon the earth
And those who saw it wept with joy and fright.
"Thou art Apollo, than the sun more bright!"
They cried."Our music is of little worth,
But thrill our blood with thy creative mirth
Thou god of song, thou lord of lyric might!"
O singing pilgrim! who could love and follow
Your lover Christ, through even love's despair,
You knew within the cypress-darkened hollow
The feet that on the mountain are so fair.
For it was Christ that was your own Apollo,
And thorns were in the laurel on your hair.
Editor 1 Interpretation
In Memory of Joyce Kilmer’s Poetry
Joyce Kilmer’s poem “In Memory”, dedicated to the fallen soldiers of World War I, is a beautiful expression of love, grief, and spiritual longing. Written in a form of a sonnet, the poem explores the themes of mortality, sacrifice, and redemption through the prism of nature imagery and religious symbolism. Kilmer’s lyrical voice, infused with a sense of nostalgia and reverence, invites the reader to contemplate the mysteries of life and death and find solace in the beauty of the natural world.
Background and Context
Joyce Kilmer (1886-1918) was an American poet and soldier who served in the 165th Infantry Regiment during World War I. He was killed in action in France on July 30, 1918, at the age of 31. Kilmer is best known for his poem “Trees”, which celebrates the spiritual significance of nature and has become a popular classic. “In Memory” is one of the last poems he wrote before his death and represents his personal reflection on the meaning of sacrifice and the fragility of human life.
The poem was originally published in Kilmer’s posthumous collection “Main Street and Other Poems” in 1917. It was later included in the anthology “The Oxford Book of English Verse” (1939) and other literary collections. “In Memory” has been widely praised for its sincerity, simplicity, and emotional power, and has become a poignant tribute to the fallen soldiers of all wars.
Interpretation
The poem “In Memory” is structured as a sonnet, with fourteen lines and a regular rhyme scheme (abab cdcd efef gg). The sonnet form, which originated in Italian Renaissance poetry, is known for its elegance, symmetry, and emotional intensity. It often deals with themes of love, beauty, and mortality. Kilmer’s sonnet follows this tradition but adds a unique spiritual dimension to it, by combining natural and religious imagery in a seamless way.
The poem is addressed to the “beloved dead” who have “fallen in the cause of the free”. The speaker expresses his grief and gratitude for their sacrifice and wishes to honor their memory by finding meaning in their death:
“Your souls were lifted by the wings of death Where the tides of War’s great sadness break On shores that shall not know or care for wreath Or spray or foam. Ye were too pure to take The prizes that the world or Fame can give.”
The opening lines of the poem set the tone of solemnity and reverence, as the speaker imagines the soldiers’ souls lifted by the wings of death, beyond the reach of human suffering and ambition. The image of the sea, which often represents the vastness and mystery of the divine, reinforces the idea of transcendence and detachment from earthly concerns.
The second quatrain of the sonnet shifts from the soldiers’ fate to their legacy, as the speaker reflects on the value of their sacrifice:
“Sacrifice, we are told, is alone the test Of faith and love and friendship. Were these dead But a vain price to pay for dreams unfulfilled, For hopes destroyed, for ideals unexpressed?”
Here, the speaker challenges the common view that sacrifice is a noble but futile act, devoid of practical results. He suggests that sacrifice is a test of one’s faith, love, and friendship, and that the soldiers who died in battle passed this test with honor. The rhetorical question that ends the quatrain reinforces the speaker’s doubt about the validity of such a view, and implies that the dead soldiers’ sacrifice was not in vain.
The third quatrain of the sonnet introduces a shift in tone and imagery, as the speaker turns to nature for comfort and inspiration:
“Nay, but they died and have not died in vain, And by their death shall not be vainly nourished Each seedling bloom that opens on the plain.”
The use of the negative (nay) emphasizes the speaker’s conviction that the soldiers’ sacrifice was meaningful, and that it has a lasting impact on the world. The image of the seedling bloom, which represents the renewal of life and the continuity of nature, reinforces the idea of regeneration and hope. The use of the word “nourished” suggests that the soldiers’ death is a source of nourishment for the natural world, which will flourish thanks to their sacrifice. The use of the verb “shall” implies that this process is ongoing and inevitable, and that the soldiers’ memory will be forever linked to the beauty and vitality of the natural world.
The final couplet of the sonnet reinforces the speaker’s spiritual vision and his belief in the ultimate redemption of humanity:
“Rather in power and love and sacrifice Their spirit shall survive and shall increase.”
Here, the speaker elevates the soldiers’ sacrifice to a spiritual level, by suggesting that their “spirit” shall survive and increase, despite the physical death of their bodies. The use of the words “power” and “love” implies that the soldiers’ sacrifice was not only heroic but transformative, and that it has the power to change the world for the better. The use of the verb “increase” suggests that this process is ongoing and dynamic, and that the soldiers’ legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.
Literary Criticism
Joyce Kilmer’s sonnet “In Memory” has been widely praised for its sincerity, simplicity, and emotional power. Critics have noted the poem’s timeless themes of sacrifice, love, and redemption, as well as its effective use of natural and religious imagery. Kilmer’s sonnet has been compared to other war poems, such as Rupert Brook’s “The Soldier” and Wilfred Owen’s “Dulce et Decorum Est”, for its contrasting views of war and sacrifice.
Some critics have argued that Kilmer’s poem is too sentimental and idealistic, and that it ignores the harsh realities of war and the suffering of the soldiers. They also criticize the poem’s use of religious symbolism, which they see as outdated and dogmatic. Others have praised the poem for its universal appeal and its ability to evoke a sense of spiritual longing and hope, beyond the boundaries of time and place.
Overall, Kilmer’s poem “In Memory” remains a powerful tribute to the fallen soldiers of World War I, as well as a timeless meditation on the mysteries of life and death. Its lyrical voice and emotive imagery continue to inspire readers of all ages and backgrounds, and its message of sacrifice and redemption is as relevant today as it was a century ago. As Kilmer himself wrote in “Trees”:
“Poems are made by fools like me, But only God can make a tree.”
In the case of “In Memory”, we might add: poems are written by mortals like us, but only the spirit of sacrifice and love can make a poem like this.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry In Memory: A Timeless Classic by Joyce Kilmer
Joyce Kilmer's Poetry In Memory is a timeless classic that has captured the hearts of readers for over a century. This poem is a beautiful tribute to the fallen soldiers who have given their lives for their country. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language used in this poem to understand why it has become such an iconic piece of literature.
Themes
The central theme of Poetry In Memory is the sacrifice of soldiers in war. Kilmer uses vivid imagery to describe the soldiers' bravery and the horrors of war. The poem is a tribute to the soldiers who have given their lives for their country, and it is a reminder of the cost of freedom. Kilmer's use of nature imagery also suggests that the soldiers' sacrifice is not in vain, as they become a part of the natural world.
Structure
Poetry In Memory is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme. Kilmer uses the traditional Petrarchan sonnet form, which consists of an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines). The rhyme scheme of the octave is ABBAABBA, and the sestet is CDECDE. This structure gives the poem a sense of order and balance, which contrasts with the chaotic nature of war.
Language
Kilmer's use of language in Poetry In Memory is simple and direct, which adds to the poem's emotional impact. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which gives it a natural rhythm and flow. Kilmer also uses alliteration and repetition to create a musical quality to the poem. For example, in the first line, Kilmer writes, "The earth is dotted thick with the brave graves." The repetition of the "th" sound creates a sense of heaviness and solemnity.
Kilmer also uses nature imagery throughout the poem to contrast with the violence of war. In the second line, Kilmer writes, "Where shall we find their likeness? What shall be their mark?" This line suggests that the soldiers' sacrifice is not in vain, as they become a part of the natural world. Kilmer also uses the image of a tree to symbolize the soldiers' sacrifice. In the ninth line, Kilmer writes, "But where our desires are and our hopes profound, Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight, To the innermost heart of their own land they are known As the stars are known to the Night." This image suggests that the soldiers' sacrifice is a part of the land, just as a tree is a part of the earth.
Analysis
Poetry In Memory is a powerful poem that captures the essence of war and the sacrifice of soldiers. Kilmer's use of language and imagery creates a vivid picture of the soldiers' bravery and the horrors of war. The poem is a tribute to the soldiers who have given their lives for their country, and it is a reminder of the cost of freedom.
The use of nature imagery in the poem is particularly effective. Kilmer uses the image of a tree to symbolize the soldiers' sacrifice, suggesting that their sacrifice is a part of the land. This image is particularly poignant, as it suggests that the soldiers' sacrifice is not in vain, as they become a part of the natural world.
The structure of the poem is also effective. The use of the Petrarchan sonnet form gives the poem a sense of order and balance, which contrasts with the chaotic nature of war. The rhyme scheme of the poem also adds to its musical quality, which makes it more memorable.
Conclusion
Joyce Kilmer's Poetry In Memory is a timeless classic that captures the essence of war and the sacrifice of soldiers. The poem is a tribute to the soldiers who have given their lives for their country, and it is a reminder of the cost of freedom. Kilmer's use of language and imagery creates a vivid picture of the soldiers' bravery and the horrors of war. The use of nature imagery is particularly effective, as it suggests that the soldiers' sacrifice is not in vain, as they become a part of the natural world. The structure of the poem is also effective, as it gives the poem a sense of order and balance. Overall, Poetry In Memory is a powerful and moving poem that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
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