'Prayer of a Soldier in France' by Joyce Kilmer
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1My shoulders ache beneath my pack
2(Lie easier, Cross, upon His back).
3I march with feet that burn and smart
4(Tread, Holy Feet, upon my heart).
5Men shout at me who may not speak
6(They scourged Thy back and smote Thy cheek).
7I may not lift a hand to clear
8My eyes of salty drops that sear.
9(Then shall my fickle soul forget
10Thy agony of Bloody Sweat?)
11My rifle hand is stiff and numb
12(From Thy pierced palm red rivers come).
13Lord, Thou didst suffer more for me
14Than all the hosts of land and sea.
15So let me render back again
16This millionth of Thy gift. Amen.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, Prayer of a Soldier in France: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Joyce Kilmer's Poetry, Prayer of a Soldier in France is a powerful and moving poem that captures the emotional turmoil and spiritual longing of a soldier on the frontlines of World War I. Written in 1917, the poem reflects Kilmer's own experiences as a soldier and his deep Catholic faith, which served as a source of comfort and hope in the face of unimaginable horror and suffering. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, imagery, and language of Poetry, Prayer of a Soldier in France and examine how they contribute to the poem's emotional impact and enduring significance.
Themes
At its core, Poetry, Prayer of a Soldier in France is a meditation on the power of poetry and prayer to sustain the human spirit in times of great adversity. The poem opens with the speaker addressing poetry as a friend and companion in the midst of war:
The anguish of the earth absolves our eyes
Till beauty shines in all that we can see.
War is our scourge; yet war has made us wise,
And, fighting for our freedom, we are free.
Here, Kilmer suggests that the horrors of war have a paradoxical effect on the human psyche: they serve to purify the soul and enable us to see beauty in the midst of suffering. The speaker goes on to describe how poetry has been a constant source of comfort and inspiration for him:
Your thunders chant across the deep blue seas,
Whose storms are made of beauty and of thee!
Your magic transforms the darkest trees
To triumphal archways fair and free!
Through the power of poetry, the speaker is able to transcend the physical and emotional pain of war and connect with something greater than himself. This idea is reinforced in the final stanza of the poem, where the speaker turns to prayer as a means of communing with the divine:
Lord, thou hast made this world below the shadow of a dream,
An', taught by time, I tak' it so - exceptin' always Steam.
From coupler-flange to spindle-guide I see thy Hand, O God -
Predestination in the stride o' yon connectin'-rod.
Here, Kilmer uses the language and imagery of the Christian faith to express the speaker's sense of awe and wonder at the workings of the universe. Prayer, like poetry, serves as a bridge between the human and the divine, enabling us to glimpse the transcendent beauty and purpose that underlies the chaos and suffering of the world.
Imagery
One of the most striking features of Poetry, Prayer of a Soldier in France is its vivid and evocative imagery. Kilmer uses a variety of metaphors and symbols to convey the speaker's emotional state and the spiritual significance of his experiences. For example, in the second stanza, he describes the sound of artillery fire as "your thunders":
Your thunders chant across the deep blue seas,
Whose storms are made of beauty and of thee!
This metaphor suggests that the noise of war, which might be seen as a purely destructive force, has an elemental power and majesty that is akin to the forces of nature. Similarly, in the third stanza, Kilmer describes the trees of the forest as "triumphal archways":
Your magic transforms the darkest trees
To triumphal archways fair and free!
This metaphor evokes the idea that nature, like poetry, has the power to uplift and inspire the human spirit, even in the midst of war and destruction.
Another powerful image in the poem is the speaker's description of the world as "below the shadow of a dream":
Lord, thou hast made this world below the shadow of a dream,
This metaphor suggests that the world we see and experience is not the ultimate reality, but rather a shadow or reflection of a higher, more perfect reality that lies beyond our grasp. This idea is central to many spiritual traditions, including Christianity, and underscores the poem's theme of the power of prayer to connect us with the divine.
Language
Finally, I want to highlight the language of Poetry, Prayer of a Soldier in France, which is at once simple and lyrical, direct and profound. Kilmer's use of rhyme and meter gives the poem a musical quality that enhances its emotional impact and makes it memorable:
God, though this life is but a wraith,
Although we know not what we use,
Although we grope with little faith,
Give me the heart to fight - and lose.
At the same time, the poem's language is grounded in the vernacular of the speaker, who is a soldier serving in France during World War I. This use of colloquial language helps to humanize the speaker and makes his experiences more immediate and relatable to the reader:
An', taught by time, I tak' it so - exceptin' always Steam.
From coupler-flange to spindle-guide I see thy Hand, O God -
Predestination in the stride o' yon connectin'-rod.
This combination of formal and informal language, of poetic and prosaic diction, gives the poem a richness and complexity that rewards close reading and interpretation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Poetry, Prayer of a Soldier in France is a deeply moving and resonant poem that speaks to the human spirit in times of great suffering and adversity. Through its themes of the power of poetry and prayer, its vivid imagery, and its lyrical language, Kilmer captures the emotional and spiritual struggles of a soldier on the frontlines of World War I, while also pointing towards a deeper, more transcendent reality that lies beyond the horrors of war. As we continue to grapple with the challenges of our own time, the message of this poem remains as relevant and inspiring as ever.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Joyce Kilmer's "Prayer of a Soldier in France" is a classic poem that captures the essence of a soldier's prayer during World War I. The poem is a powerful expression of the soldier's faith and his hope for salvation in the midst of war. Kilmer's use of vivid imagery and religious symbolism creates a moving and emotional piece that has stood the test of time.
The poem begins with the soldier's plea to God for protection and guidance. He asks for strength to face the challenges of war and for the courage to do what is right. The soldier's prayer is a reflection of his deep faith and his belief in the power of prayer. He knows that he cannot face the horrors of war alone and that he needs God's help to survive.
Kilmer's use of religious imagery is evident throughout the poem. The soldier refers to God as "Father" and "Lord" and asks for his "blessing" and "grace". The soldier's faith is a source of comfort and strength for him, and he finds solace in the knowledge that God is watching over him.
The soldier's prayer is also a reflection of his love for his country. He is willing to sacrifice his life for the sake of his country and his fellow soldiers. He prays for victory and for the safety of his comrades. The soldier's patriotism is evident in his words, and his love for his country is a driving force behind his actions.
Kilmer's use of vivid imagery is another notable aspect of the poem. The soldier describes the horrors of war in graphic detail, painting a picture of the destruction and devastation that surrounds him. He speaks of "the roar of the guns" and "the crash of the shells" and describes the "red rain" that falls from the sky. Kilmer's use of imagery creates a sense of urgency and danger, and the reader is transported to the battlefield alongside the soldier.
Despite the horrors of war, the soldier's faith remains unshaken. He knows that God is with him, and he finds comfort in the knowledge that he is not alone. The soldier's prayer is a testament to the power of faith and the strength that it can provide in times of hardship.
In conclusion, Joyce Kilmer's "Prayer of a Soldier in France" is a powerful and moving poem that captures the essence of a soldier's prayer during World War I. Kilmer's use of vivid imagery and religious symbolism creates a sense of urgency and danger, while the soldier's faith provides a source of comfort and strength. The poem is a timeless reminder of the sacrifices that soldiers make for their country and the power of faith in times of hardship.
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