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Joyce Kilmer

New Jersey

Joyce Kilmer

New Jersey

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Vain is the chiming of forgotten bells
That the wind sways above a ruined shrine.
Vainer his voice in whom no longer dwells
Hunger that craves immortal Bread and Wine.

Light songs we breathe that perish with our breath
Out of our lips that have not kissed the rod.
They shall not live who have not tasted death.
They only sing who are struck dumb by God.

Joyce Kilmer

Tuesday, December 31, 2002

poem poems breathe forgotten Lips

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COMMENTS OF THE POEM

Glen Kappy 03 August 2020

because kilmer's " trees" is a favorite poem of mine, and because i feel prompted to explore his other work, i begin today. with this poem what i mainly i feel is kinship with him, particularly in what he expresses in the last stanza. there are " light songs." then there are those that awe inspires, those that come from being " struck dumb" by God. -glen

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Poems By Joyce Kilmer

The House With Nobody In It

Ballade Of My Lady's Beauty

Trees

Citizen Of The World

Prayer Of A Soldier In France

See All Poems by Joyce Kilmer