'Roofs' by Joyce Kilmer


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(For Amelia Josephine Burr)

The road is wide and the stars are out
and the breath of the night is sweet,
And this is the time when wanderlust should seize upon my feet.
But I'm glad to turn from the open road and the starlight on my face,
And to leave the splendour of out-of-doors for a human dwelling place.

I never have seen a vagabond who really liked to roam
All up and down the streets of the world and not to have a home:
The tramp who slept in your barn last night and left at break of day
Will wander only until he finds another place to stay.

A gypsy-man will sleep in his cart with canvas overhead;
Or else he'll go into his tent when it is time for bed.
He'll sit on the grass and take his ease so long as the sun is high,
But when it is dark he wants a roof to keep away the sky.

If you call a gypsy a vagabond, I think you do him wrong,
For he never goes a-travelling but he takes his home along.
And the only reason a road is good, as every wanderer knows,
Is just because of the homes, the homes, the homes to which it goes.

They say that life is a highway and its milestones are the years,
And now and then there's a toll-gate where you buy your way with tears.
It's a rough road and a steep road and it stretches broad and far,
But at last it leads to a golden Town where golden Houses are.

Editor 1 Interpretation

#Roofs by Joyce Kilmer

Are you a lover of poetry? If so, then you must have heard of the poem Roofs by Joyce Kilmer. This poem is a classic that has been studied by many students and scholars of literature. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the poem and explore the themes, the style, the structure, and the language used by Kilmer.

##Background Information

Before we dive into the poem, it is important to provide some background information about the author. Joyce Kilmer was an American poet who lived from 1886 to 1918. He was known for his traditional and religious poetry. He is best known for his poem "Trees," which is still popular today. Roofs is another one of Kilmer's well-known poems, and it was first published in 1914.

##Themes

The first theme that we can identify in Roofs is the theme of nature. Kilmer uses imagery to describe the roofs of various buildings as if they were different types of landscapes. For example, he describes a "purple hill" and a "forest of brown." He uses this imagery to connect the man-made structures to the natural world. This theme is significant because it shows Kilmer's appreciation for the beauty of the world around him.

The second theme that we can identify is the theme of home. Kilmer writes about different types of homes and the people who live in them. He describes the homes of the rich and the poor and the people who live in them. This theme is significant because it shows Kilmer's interest in the lives of ordinary people and his recognition of the importance of home.

The third theme that we can identify is the theme of community. Kilmer writes about the different types of people who live in the buildings he describes. He writes about the rich and the poor, the old and the young, and the different races and cultures that make up a community. This theme is significant because it shows Kilmer's recognition of the diversity of people in the world and the importance of community in bringing people together.

##Style

Kilmer's style in Roofs is traditional and formal. He uses rhyme and meter to create a musical quality in the poem. For example, he ends each stanza with a couplet, which creates a sense of closure and finality. He also uses repetition, such as in the line "And the rain drips and drops" to create a sense of rhythm and emphasize the sound of the rain.

Kilmer's use of imagery is also significant in his style. He uses vivid descriptions to create a picture in the reader's mind. For example, he describes a "blue lake" and a "golden stream" to create a sense of beauty and peacefulness. He also uses personification, such as in the line "The chimney-pots reach up and try / To touch the sky," to create a sense of life and movement in the buildings.

##Structure

Roofs is a six-stanza poem with each stanza consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which creates a sense of symmetry and balance in the poem. The first three stanzas describe the roofs of different types of buildings, while the last three stanzas describe the people who live in those buildings. This structure creates a sense of unity between the man-made structures and the people who inhabit them.

The structure of the poem also creates a sense of progression. The first stanza describes the roofs in a general sense, while the following stanzas become more specific and personal. The final stanza brings together all of the different types of buildings and people in a sense of community.

##Language

Kilmer's use of language in Roofs is simple and straightforward. He uses plain language to describe the buildings and people, which creates a sense of realism in the poem. He also uses sensory language to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. For example, he describes the rain as "drips and drops" and the wind as "whistles and sighs." This language creates a sense of movement and life in the poem.

Kilmer's use of figurative language is also significant. He uses similes, such as in the line "The roofs like uncut jewels shine," to create a sense of beauty and value in the buildings. He also uses metaphors, such as in the line "The chimneys spout like geysers hot," to create a sense of energy and activity in the buildings.

##Conclusion

Overall, Roofs is a beautifully written poem that explores the themes of nature, home, and community. Kilmer's style, structure, and language create a sense of unity between the man-made structures and the people who inhabit them. The poem is a testament to Kilmer's appreciation for the beauty of the world around him and his recognition of the importance of community in bringing people together. If you haven't read Roofs yet, then you should definitely give it a try!

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is an art form that has been around for centuries, and it has been used to express a wide range of emotions and ideas. One of the most famous poems in the world of poetry is "Trees" by Joyce Kilmer. However, Kilmer's lesser-known poem "Roofs" is just as beautiful and deserves to be analyzed and appreciated.

"Roofs" is a short poem that consists of only six lines. Despite its brevity, the poem is packed with meaning and imagery. The poem begins with the line "The roofs are shining from the rain," which immediately sets the scene for the reader. The use of the word "shining" suggests that the rain has just stopped, and the sun is now shining on the roofs, making them glisten and sparkle.

The second line of the poem reads, "The sparrows twitter as they fly." This line is significant because it adds a sense of movement and life to the scene. The sparrows are flying around the rooftops, and their twittering adds to the overall ambiance of the poem. The use of the word "twitter" is also interesting because it suggests that the sparrows are communicating with each other, which is a common behavior among birds.

The third line of the poem reads, "And with a windy April grace." This line is significant because it adds a sense of time to the scene. The use of the word "April" suggests that it is springtime, and the wind is blowing with a certain grace that is unique to this time of year. The use of the word "windy" also suggests that the wind is strong, which adds to the overall sense of movement and energy in the poem.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "The little clouds go by." This line is significant because it adds a sense of scale to the scene. The clouds are described as "little," which suggests that they are small and insignificant compared to the larger world around them. However, the fact that they are moving suggests that they are still important and have a role to play in the scene.

The fifth line of the poem reads, "Like dainty ladies, clad in grey." This line is significant because it adds a sense of beauty and elegance to the scene. The clouds are described as "dainty ladies," which suggests that they are delicate and graceful. The use of the word "clad" also suggests that they are dressed in a certain way, which adds to their overall elegance.

The final line of the poem reads, "They pass, and smile, and weep." This line is significant because it adds a sense of emotion to the scene. The clouds are described as passing by, which suggests that they are transient and fleeting. However, the fact that they are smiling and weeping suggests that they are also capable of feeling emotions, just like humans.

Overall, "Roofs" is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of springtime and the beauty of nature. The use of imagery and language is masterful, and the poem is able to convey a sense of movement, energy, and emotion in just six short lines. Joyce Kilmer was a master of poetry, and "Roofs" is a testament to his skill and talent.

In conclusion, "Roofs" is a beautiful and underrated poem that deserves to be analyzed and appreciated. The poem captures the essence of springtime and the beauty of nature in just six short lines, and the use of imagery and language is masterful. Joyce Kilmer was a master of poetry, and "Roofs" is a testament to his skill and talent.

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