An iron hand has stilled the throats That throbbed with loud and rhythmic glee And dammed the flood of silver notes That drenched the world in melody.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A metaphor describing how violence or oppression silenced joy and music.
- In plain terms
- Violence stopped people from singing and celebrating.
- What can you take from it?
- Protect freedom of expression to preserve joy and culture.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What happens when voices are silenced?
- How do you protect joy?
Another view
It uses abstract imagery that might obscure the specific human impact.
More from Joyce Kilmer
There is no strange and distant place That is not gladdened by His face. And every nation kneels to hail The Splendour shining through Its veil.
Permalink to quote #6 I have no vision of gods, not of Eros with love-arrows laden, Jupiter thundering death or of Juno his white-breasted queen, Yet have I seen All of the joy of t…
Permalink to quote #8 They shall not live who have not tasted death. They only sing who are struck dumb by God.
Permalink to quote #5
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