'Houses' by Joyce Kilmer


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(For Aline)

When you shall die and to the sky
Serenely, delicately go,
Saint Peter, when he sees you there,
Will clash his keys and say:
"Now talk to her, Sir Christopher!
And hurry, Michelangelo!
She wants to play at building,
And you've got to help her play!"

Every architect will help erect
A palace on a lawn of cloud,
With rainbow beams and a sunset roof,
And a level star-tiled floor;
And at your will you may use the skill
Of this gay angelic crowd,
When a house is made you will throw it down,
And they'll build you twenty more.

For Christopher Wren and these other men
Who used to build on earth
Will love to go to work again
If they may work for you.
"This porch," you'll say, "should go this way!"
And they'll work for all they're worth,
And they'll come to your palace every morning,
And ask you what to do.

And when night comes down on Heaven-town
(If there should be night up there)
You will choose the house you like the best
Of all that you can see:
And its walls will glow as you drowsily go
To the bed up the golden stair,
And I hope you'll be gentle enough to keep
A room in your house for me.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Beauty and Simplicity of Joyce Kilmer's "Houses"

Joyce Kilmer's "Houses" is a poem that exudes simplicity and beauty. The poem is a perfect example of how a poet can create a powerful work of art using the most basic of elements. The poem is not only visually appealing, but it is also a celebration of the beauty that can be found in the ordinary things that surround us. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the beauty and simplicity of Kilmer's "Houses."

The Poet and the Poem

Joyce Kilmer was an American poet who lived from 1886 to 1918. He was best known for his poem "Trees," which is still widely read and loved today. "Houses" is another one of Kilmer's well-known poems. The poem was first published in 1914 in a collection of Kilmer's poems called "Trees and Other Poems."

"Houses" is a short poem that consists of only eight lines. The poem is written in free verse, which means that it does not follow a consistent meter or rhyme scheme. The poem is divided into two stanzas, with the first stanza consisting of four lines and the second stanza consisting of four lines.

The Beauty of the Poem

One of the most striking things about "Houses" is its simplicity. The poem is a celebration of the beauty that can be found in the ordinary things that surround us. The poem is not trying to be profound or philosophical. Instead, it is simply celebrating the beauty of houses.

The poem begins with the line "I love the houses that seem asleep." This line immediately sets the tone for the poem. It is a peaceful and quiet line that evokes a feeling of calmness. The image of houses that seem asleep is a beautiful one. It conjures up images of quiet neighborhoods and peaceful streets.

The second line of the poem continues the peaceful and calming tone. The line reads, "The roofs are steeper than reason." This line is a beautiful example of Kilmer's use of imagery. The image of roofs that are steeper than reason is both visually striking and thought-provoking. It suggests that there is a beauty in things that cannot be explained or understood.

The third line of the poem changes the tone slightly. The line reads, "The windows stare without a question." This line suggests a sense of emptiness or loneliness. The windows are staring out into the world, but they are not asking any questions. There is a sense of detachment or disconnection here.

The fourth line of the poem brings everything back to a peaceful and calming tone. The line reads, "The sidewalks do not care how men may walk." This line suggests a sense of acceptance or indifference. The sidewalks do not care how men may walk. They simply exist, and they exist in a peaceful and calming way.

The second stanza of the poem continues the peaceful and calming tone. The stanza begins with the line "I love the chimneys' silent smoke." This line suggests a sense of warmth and comfort. The chimneys are providing warmth and comfort to the houses, and by extension, to the people who live in the houses.

The second line of the stanza continues the sense of warmth and comfort. The line reads, "I love the windows worn and rough." This line suggests a sense of history and nostalgia. The windows are worn and rough, suggesting that they have been around for a long time. There is a sense of nostalgia here, a sense of longing for a simpler time.

The third line of the stanza is a beautiful example of Kilmer's use of language. The line reads, "I love the doors that lead to all." This line suggests a sense of inclusivity and openness. The doors lead to all, suggesting that there is a place for everyone in these houses.

The final line of the poem brings everything back to the peaceful and calming tone. The line reads, "I love the softness everywhere." This line suggests a sense of comfort and peace. There is a softness everywhere in these houses, a sense of warmth and comfort that is truly beautiful.

Interpretation of the Poem

"Houses" is a poem that celebrates the beauty of the ordinary. It is a poem that reminds us of the beauty that can be found in the things that we often take for granted. The poem suggests that there is a beauty in the simplicity of everyday life.

The poem is also a celebration of the past. The worn and rough windows suggest a sense of history and nostalgia. The doors that lead to all suggest a sense of inclusivity and openness. The poem suggests that there is a beauty in the past, a beauty in the things that have been around for a long time.

The poem is also a celebration of the present. The peaceful and calming tone of the poem suggests a sense of contentment with the present moment. The softness everywhere suggests a sense of comfort and peace. The poem suggests that there is a beauty in the present, a beauty in the things that are right in front of us.

Conclusion

Joyce Kilmer's "Houses" is a beautiful and simple poem that celebrates the beauty of the ordinary. The poem is not trying to be profound or philosophical. Instead, it is simply celebrating the beauty of houses. The poem reminds us that there is a beauty in the simplicity of everyday life, and that there is a beauty in the things that we often take for granted. This is a poem that celebrates the past, the present, and the future. It is a poem that reminds us of the beauty that can be found in the most basic of elements.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has been around for centuries, and it has been used to express emotions, thoughts, and ideas. Joyce Kilmer's "Poetry Houses" is a classic poem that captures the essence of poetry and its importance in our lives. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in the poem.

The poem begins with the line, "I shall build myself a house of glass," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is talking about building a house, but not just any house, a house made of glass. This is a metaphor for poetry, which is transparent and allows us to see through it to the emotions and thoughts of the poet.

The first stanza talks about the foundation of the house, which is made of "words and dreams and colored glass." This line is significant because it shows that poetry is not just about words, but also about dreams and imagination. The use of colored glass is also important because it represents the different emotions and moods that poetry can evoke.

The second stanza talks about the walls of the house, which are made of "rhyme and rhythm and stately grace." This line shows that poetry is not just about the words, but also about the way they are arranged. The use of rhyme and rhythm adds musicality to the poem, and the stately grace adds a sense of elegance and sophistication.

The third stanza talks about the roof of the house, which is made of "wisdom and beauty and starry skies." This line shows that poetry is not just about the words and the way they are arranged, but also about the ideas and emotions they convey. The use of wisdom and beauty adds depth to the poem, and the starry skies add a sense of wonder and awe.

The fourth stanza talks about the doors of the house, which are made of "laughter and tears and the songs of the heart." This line shows that poetry is not just about the poet's emotions, but also about the emotions of the reader. The use of laughter and tears adds a sense of humanity to the poem, and the songs of the heart add a sense of passion and intensity.

The fifth stanza talks about the windows of the house, which are made of "memories and hopes and the golden light of dawn." This line shows that poetry is not just about the present, but also about the past and the future. The use of memories and hopes adds a sense of nostalgia and optimism to the poem, and the golden light of dawn adds a sense of new beginnings and possibilities.

The sixth and final stanza talks about the purpose of the house, which is to "shelter the singing spirit of man." This line shows that poetry is not just about the poet, but also about the reader. The use of the word "singing" adds a sense of joy and happiness to the poem, and the idea of sheltering the spirit of man adds a sense of protection and comfort.

The structure of the poem is also significant. It is written in six stanzas, each with three lines. This structure adds a sense of symmetry and balance to the poem, and it also allows the poet to explore different aspects of poetry in each stanza.

The use of literary devices in the poem is also noteworthy. The use of metaphor, for example, is evident throughout the poem. The house made of glass is a metaphor for poetry, and the different elements of the house represent different aspects of poetry. The use of rhyme and rhythm is also significant, as it adds musicality to the poem and makes it more memorable.

In conclusion, "Poetry Houses" is a classic poem that captures the essence of poetry and its importance in our lives. The use of metaphor, structure, and literary devices adds depth and complexity to the poem, and the themes of imagination, emotion, and humanity make it relatable and timeless. As Kilmer writes, "I shall build myself a house of glass / That all may see who passes by / And marvel at its beauty."

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