Curt’s blog
Joyce Kilmer. When I read the poem, “Trees,” I have always assumed this famed poet was a girl. Boy! Was I wrong.
Why I Write
I write not only to entertain, but to add to people’s lives by letting them learn history through a story. That way, the story sticks.
Turn off the electronics
Our nation is starving our collective thinking power by letting our gadgets think for us. Be it TV, computer, or Iphone, we are losing our grasp of life – that is – true life.
Time to be a winner
Give yourself the freedom to win by taking a break from electronics. Yes, check them once or twice a day, but “unsubscribe” wherever you can. Drop the coupons, the recipe, the constant thread of videos. Instead, check your facebook to applaud your friends or cry or pray with them.
Watch the trailer with heroes from both sides of the Civil War Conflict
Joyce Kilmer American hero, Christian Poet
In France, in “No Man’s Land”, American Hero and Poet, Joyce Kilmer died. He had been scouting the enemy before a planned attack by the Americans. A sniper killed him while he lay in a foxhole.
Born in 1886 in New Jersey, son of Barnett Kilmer, the inventor of Johnson’s baby powder, he attended Columbia University and became the editor of his college’s journal. When he graduated, he married his sweetheart, Aline Murray. He taught high school and worked for Funk and Wagnall’s dictionary.
His new daughter, Rose, was struck with infant paralysis. That is when his Christian faith began to grow. He went daily to the Church of the Holy Innocents and prayed. He wrote, “Her lifeless hands led me; U think her tiny still feet know beautiful paths.” He and his wife joined the Catholic church in 1913.
That same year he published his most famous poem, “Trees,” and a subsequent volume of poetry. People did not have TV or Spotify back then, so they devoured his poetry about every day people and faith in God. He became an active member of his church.
In 1917, he enlisted to fight against the Germans in WWI. He joined the Fighting 69th, an Irish Brigade. His daughter died just before he deployed, and his son was born. In the army, he befriend Father Francis Duffy, who became the most decorated military chaplain in history.
In his honor, the VFW established a Memorial Forest in his name in North Carolina. In 1942, Camp Kilmer in New Jersey had 2.5 million American soldiers pass through it either going to war or returning home.
He is remembered for writing “Tree” but I invite you to read this poem.
PRAYER OF A SOLDIER IN FRANCE by Joyce Kilmer
My shoulders ache beneath my pack
(Lie easier, Cross, upon His back).
I march with feet that burn and smart
(Tread, Holy Feet, upon my heart).
Men shout at me who may not speak
(They scourged Thy back smote Thy cheek).
I may not lift a hand to clear
My eyes of salty drops that sear.
(Then shall my fickle soul forget
They agony of Bloody Sweat?)
My rifle hand is tiff and numb
(From Thy pierced palm red rivers come).
Lord, Thou didst suffer more for me
Than all the hosts of land and sea.
So let me render back again
This millionth of Thy gift. Amen.
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