A TREE
That’s it; I’m
running out of material. I’ve blogged
anything interesting I’ve ever done. I’ve
blogged any thought in my head. I’ve
blogged almost any opinion I’ve ever had, and since I have now ruled out posts
on religion or politics, there is nothing left.
I should
have led a crazier life…if only I knew in the future I would need material for
a blog.
So I need
inspiration from other bloggers.
Manzanita from “Wanna Buy A Duck” http://beajayblock.blogspot.com/2015/11/when-is-tree-not-tree.html
today mourned the loss of an old friend,
a shade tree in her yard; it got me to thinking of Joyce Kilmer.
Joyce Kilmer
was a famous poet about 100 years ago. He
was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey which is around the corner from where I
live. You cannot go far in New Brunswick,
New Jersey without seeing some road or strip mall which pays homage to Joyce
Kilmer.
I Googled
him today. Perhaps he is not quite as
famous as I thought because I only found out today, that Joyce was a he, not a
she.
Anyway, what
is interesting to me is what made Joyce Kilmer famous. I’m sure he was a man of many
accomplishments, and a prolific poet who published lots of stuff, but getting
down to brass tacks he is known for one thing, a poem, a very short poem, a
very good poem, apparently a great poem. Still, it is just a poem.
In the last
100 years I am sure there have been many great people born in this area of New
Jersey. We have some great hospitals,
surely many wonderful doctors and surgeons have come from this area of Central New
Jersey. I know many fine athletes
have come from this area. Joe Theisman
is a local lad; I don’t think there is even a road named after him. Michael Douglas was born in New Brunswick;
there are no strip malls in his name. There
must also be some fine authors, and captains of industry, yet the most famous
resident if you go by having stuff named after you, is hands down, Joyce Kilmer.
Fame is a funny thing. It is not always a
measure of greatness, or production, or a contribution to society. Sometimes it is just something simple. Something that just sticks with people for
some reason. Joyce Kilmer probably
produced some wonderful poems, I would imagine Rutgers English professors could
spend a semester on his works, but face it, he wrote one poem that resonated
with a lot of people; 67 words arranged in a pleasant sequence that has made
him immortal in the New Brunswick, New Jersey area.
Trees
BY JOYCE KILMER
I think that I
shall never see
A poem lovely as a
tree.
A tree whose hungry
mouth is prest
Against the earth’s
sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks
at God all day,
And lifts her leafy
arms to pray;
A tree that may in
Summer wear
A nest of robins in
her hair;
Upon whose bosom
snow has lain;
Who intimately
lives with rain.
Poems are made by
fools like me,
But only God can
make a tree.
However, I have to say, It is a
good fucking poem!
Yes, it is--but if you think you've run out of blog material, YOU'RE A JERK!!
ReplyDeleteI know the poem but didn't know stuff about Joyce Kilmer. Sorry, I should amend that ... I didn't know who wrote the poem. Shame on me!
ReplyDeleteIt IS a good poem - puts my Bingo Boobs one to shame - somehow I don't think anyone is going to name a road after me for that one! Don't panic, you're bound to be a jerk about something sometime soon and then you can tell us all about it.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a favorite of mine for a while. There's a story about Kilmer where he was in an audience and the speaker was trying to quote his poem and apologized for not knowing the whole thing, not realizing Kilmer was present. Kilmer stood and recited it for the speaker. When the speaker asked how he knew the poem, he simply said, "I wrote it," and sat back down.
ReplyDeleteI know the poem but didn't realize he wasn't a she. It is interesting in this town to see street names and whatnot and realize they are named for people but then trying to figure out who those people might be. Obviously at one time someone important or doing good things for someone to consider naming a street or school after them.
ReplyDeletebetty
I'm not much of a poem person, so I was surprised I knew this one.
ReplyDeleteYes, a good poem it is and it has been put to music too. A lovely tune. I do recall from my youth that Joyce Kilmer is a "he" but it's been so many years since I thought of him that I still, at first, think "she." I didn't know about the Jersey part because I've never been there, either. It would mean a great deal to you.
ReplyDeleteYou could always post about your graduation (or have you?) ..... yes, I have your book and a rowdy lad you were. LOL
Here's another short poem from my youth that I used to attribute to Kilmer but perhaps not.... maybe Dickens? I can't remember....things too far back. lol
Alone, alone
I walked through the woods and sat on a stone
I sat on a large stone and sang to the birds.
The tune was God's making but I made the words.
Another guy I think of as a girl is Evelyn .....is it Rothchild? (But I really try never to think of him....one of those illuminati guys)
What fishducky said Joe, what fishducky said.
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous day and weekend. ☺
I think that I shall never see
ReplyDeletea billboard lovely as a tree.
Perhaps, unless the billboards fall,
I'll never see a tree at all.
Ogden Nash
That reminds me of the poem they taught us in Army basic training.
ReplyDeleteA yellow bird
A yellow bill
Landed on my window sill
I lured him in
With crumbs of bread
Then I stomped his little head
It kind of put a lump in my throat to remember that little poem.
R
Heh, heh. He said "breast." AND "bosom!"
ReplyDeleteYeah...what fishducky said!
ReplyDeleteStupid headlines and TWTA should fill two blogging days per week. Fridays (for Funny Friday) you could post your favorite joke from that week. After that, you're on your own.
That is a terrific poem, and most of us probably know it well enough to be able to recite at least part of it. Then again, we could all probably recite: "I never saw a purple cow; I never hope to see one. But I can tell you, anyhow; I'd rather see than be one."(Doesn't make THAT one so great, though.)
ReplyDeleteIf I ever knew Kilmer was a man, I forgot it. And... now I know. And a New Jersey man, at that. Like ol' Blue Eyes.
didn't know joyce was a he and even tho i'd read that poem before, couldn't have told you who wrote it. so now i know!
ReplyDelete