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"Trees" is a lyric poem by American poet Joyce Kilmer. Written in February 1913, it was first published in Poetry: A Magazine of Verse that August and included in Kilmer's 1914 collection Trees and Other Poems. The poem, in twelve lines of rhyming couplets of iambic tetrameter verse, describes what Kilmer perceives as the inability of art created by humankind to replicate the beauty achieved by nature. Kilmer is most remembered for "Trees", which has been the subject of frequent parodies and references in popular culture. Kilmer's work is often disparaged by critics and dismissed by scholars…mehr

Produktbeschreibung
"Trees" is a lyric poem by American poet Joyce Kilmer. Written in February 1913, it was first published in Poetry: A Magazine of Verse that August and included in Kilmer's 1914 collection Trees and Other Poems. The poem, in twelve lines of rhyming couplets of iambic tetrameter verse, describes what Kilmer perceives as the inability of art created by humankind to replicate the beauty achieved by nature. Kilmer is most remembered for "Trees", which has been the subject of frequent parodies and references in popular culture. Kilmer's work is often disparaged by critics and dismissed by scholars as being too simple and overly sentimental, and that his style was far too traditional and even archaic. Despite this, the popular appeal of "Trees" has contributed to its endurance. Literary critic Guy Davenport considers it "the one poem known by practically everybody". "Trees" is frequently included in poetry anthologies and has been set to music several times—including a popular rendition by Oscar Rasbach, performed by singers Nelson Eddy, Robert Merrill, and Paul Robeson. The location for a specific tree as the possible inspiration for the poem has been claimed by several places and institutions connected to Kilmer's life; among these are Rutgers University, the University of Notre Dame, and towns across the country that Kilmer visited. However, Kilmer's eldest son, Kenton, declares that the poem does not apply to any one tree—that it could apply equally to any. "Trees" was written in an upstairs bedroom at the family's home in Mahwah, New Jersey, that "looked out down a hill, on our well-wooded lawn". Kenton Kilmer stated that while his father was "widely known for his affection for trees, his affection was certainly not sentimental—the most distinguished feature of Kilmer's property was a colossal woodpile outside his home".
Autorenporträt
Joyce Kilmer (1886-1918) was an American poet, writer, and editor best remembered for his short poem 'Trees,' first published in 1913 in his collection 'Trees and Other Poems.' Kilmer's work is characterized by its simplicity and clarity, encapsulating an admiration for the natural world and religious devotion. Born Alfred Joyce Kilmer in New Brunswick, New Jersey, he was a prolific poet of the early 20th century, and his writing evokes the lyrical and romantic spirit of the era. His poetry often explored themes of spirituality and nature's beauty, which resonated with a broad audience, enabling his work to maintain its popularity even a century later. Kilmer's literary style is considered traditional and was influenced by the British Romantic poets as well as by his own Catholic faith. In addition to his poetry, Kilmer contributed essays and literary criticism to various periodicals, showcasing his versatility as a writer. Tragically, his promising literary career was cut short when he died in World War I at the age of 31. Although Kilmer's body of work is not extensive, 'Trees' has ensured him a lasting legacy in American poetry.