the day it all began
“i think that i shall never see
a poem lovely as a tree”….
those were the lines from a poem
which marked the beginning
of my love for poetry
i recall that day, so clear in my mind
as if it were only yesterday
well almost... but anyway
it was my third grade class assignment
to find a poem we'd like to recite
because of my love of trees, you see
I read this one with somber delight
the teacher commented and smiled
after listening so patiently
then told us each to write a poem
and so began my poetry
in those days poems meant rhyme
to me and all the rest
who ever heard of a poem that didn’t
i set out to write my best
please don’t ask how my poem went
i don’t remember, though I’ve tried
all I can tell you is it was about a tree
a beautiful old tree that died
it probably bordered on plagiarism
since it contained these lines, you see
‘i think that i shall never see
a poem lovely as a tree”
by Dee Garner
August 16, 2002
Author notes
Since posting this poem I've managed to recall, be reminded ..whatever, about the author, Joyce Kilmer, 1886 to 1918. He was killed on the battlefield in World War One while still in his early 30's. The poem, 'Trees', by some recounts, was found in his pocket so was probably the last one he ever wrote. He does have other wonderful poetry, though....think what might have been if he'd lived to go on with his writing. The picture is from the website http://www.main.nc.us/graham/hiking/trees.html
for Graham County, North Carolina, Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest.
Written August 16th, 2002
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1 - 23 of 23
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great
Grandma, your desire to write poems was inspired on a solid root, the root from a tree that wasn`t just a simple tree, but a life tree based on a near history of men strongly trying to see poems lovely like trees shall be. Not a surprise human mind couldn`t see poems lovely since those days. -
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I'm so glad you left a comment
But you've spoiled your old grandma already, now I'll be expecting more 
and maybe you'll write something, too. I'll keep my fingers crossed and watch for a poem from you ?
Thanks for leaving such a nice comment
love and
Grandma
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i had the same thought...
that poems had to rhyme
till i started writing poetry
read some poems,
wrote more
found this site
and since then i've
known that they dont have to write,
stupid people making us beleive they should and have to.
...Simply ME♥ -
wow! This was awesome! It was definitely fun to read a poem about a poem.
Great write. I loved it!
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Keep up the Spirtual/Powerful Writing
Bravo!! excelent!! I like trees too!! they are like to bilding blocks of the earth =]!! very good && keep on penning!!
miz♠mollie -
your are really good!!! i see how you like trees so! much im really jealous i cant write poem ass good ass you!!! you really good and impressing .
Edited on Jul 25, 3:09 p.m. because ''. -
I'm glad you wrote about what brought you to poetry. Thanks for sharing it. An overall good write.
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i think i have read this poem before
is nice to read again. don't think i've read any joyce kilmer. but thalf the time i haven't a clue what i've read, am lucky in this one
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Loved your poem!
Art inspires art and poetry inspires poetry. This poem says it all and made me go back to try to remember what inspired me to write. It was Earnest Hemingway's "The old man and the sea". I was 12 years old when I read it and I never forgot it. -
This really, is a lovely poem. It's so meaningful and has that sweet, nonstalgia quality to it. Great job on this poem, I loved it!
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I called by to read this Dee as it is mentioned in the August contest and I'm glad I did. I can't remember when or what I first wrote about, all I know is it was a long time ago.
I rather like your poetic tribute to a poem and the man, not forgetting of course - the Tree.
~von~ -
neutral
I remember when you had to memorize that poem for school. It is one of the few poems I can remember too. Well, part of it any way. Guess I had to listen to you recite it so often. -
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What's there to say? The poem makes one smile. I think because it takes you back, while you're reading it, when you yourself first 'got inspired' or what it was that made you realize you had a hidden talent. I myself, 'blossomed' in my early teen years. I haven't a clue what i did before I wrote. I used to tell ppl i've always written. But then one day, i just remembered when it happened. It was like being inside a cloud. And suddenly it opened up and i rained down... does that make sense?
~Amberly~ -
Did you know that Joyce Kilmer was killed in battle in WW1 and that according to the story told, this poem was found in his pocket, so was probably the last poem he ever wrote. He was only in his early 30's when he died. Think how he might have become even more famous and well known had he not died so young.
Dee -
neutral
Enjoyed this.Like reading what you write. -
neutral
Very Very Good. It's a great yet so rarely explored topic by writers, when they started writing. I like it. -
I found it... the original poem, and yes it is by Joyce Kilmer...thanks for making me delve a little bit. So now I'm going to correct my line quoting the poem because at the time I first wrote my poem in third grade, I used the line as it was written in the original.
Thanks all of you for your most welcome input and comments. Love ya all
{{{HUGS}}}
Dee
Edited by catz on right now. -
don't touch it!
It's wonderful that you would remember the first poem you ever wrote...I don't, wish I did LOL I also remember having to memorize that particular poem in school..a wonderful insight this is on how you first fell in love with poetry Dee...a most charming write!!!! :)) -
don't touch it!
Love Frost....and this poem! -
don't touch it!
heh.. The first poem I ever wrote was waaaay back when I was in Kindergarden...never really continued on with it until a year ago. Anyways, fantastic write. :) Very well expressed..very sweet..loved the theme in this. :) -
don't touch it!
I remember the poem myself and it was used in the movie 'GI Jane' I just can not remember the poet...
I also remember the way they taught poetry in school, and how it affected my life... I wish we had, had an instuctor like yours, as it was not until my 20's I learned to love poetry. In college I was introdced to Byron, Shelly, and Keats, and it bloomed.
Wonderful write here on the beauty you found and how it effected you! -
neutral
it doesnt border on plagerism my friend, you never claimed you wrote it ;) its ok to use parts of others work, like songs and a quote of poems, as long as people dont try ot pass it off as their own.
I do believe I wrote my first poem off of my still favorite book LOL 'oh the thinks you can think up if only you try.....' Dr. Suess was and is my favorite poet, as well as shell sylverstien (spelling?) with his 'where the sidewalk ends' book.
Im glad you found poetry....cuz the world wouldnt be the same without you here at allpoetry.
Love you Lady :)
Jen -
excellent
i believe Joyce Kilmer wrote it. don't quote me on it, i have it in one of my books. i just don't want to look through them all. to see. but, i have heard of it, just forget who. i believe it is Kilmer but it could be longfellow, frost, maybe even whitman.
:0)
Nam
Edited by Nam on right now because 'so i was wrong. found the book tho :)'.
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