Joyce Kilmer (December 6,
1886-July 30,
1918), was an American poet; his best-known work is "Trees." The poem is notable for its
anthropomorphism. The tree in the poem presses its mouth to the earth's breast and looks at
God and raises its leafy arms to pray. The poem was given a musical setting that was quite popular in the
1940s and
1950s.
Kilmer was killed in action by a sniper during World War I and is buried in the Oise-Aisne Cemetery[?], Fere-en-Tardenois, France.
External Links
e-texts of some collections of Joyce Kilmer's works: