(For the Rev. James J. Daly, S. J.)

Bright stars, yellow stars, flashing through the air,
Are you errant strands of Lady Mary’s hair?
As she slits the cloudy veil and bends down through,
Do you fall across her cheeks and over heaven too?
Gay stars, little stars, you are little eyes,
Eyes of baby angels playing in the skies.
Now and then a winged child turns his merry face
Down toward the spinning world — what a funny place!
Jesus Christ came from the Cross (Christ receive my soul!)
In each perfect hand and foot there was a bloody hole.
Four great iron spikes there were, red and never dry,
Michael plucked them from the Cross and set them in the sky.
Christ’s Troop, Mary’s Guard, God’s own men,
Draw your swords and strike at Hell and strike again.
Every steel-born spark that flies where God’s battles are,
Flashes past the face of God, and is a star.

Analysis, meaning and summary of Joyce Kilmer's poem Stars

1 Comment

  1. crystal says:

    This is a very touching poem. It has a lot of depth and the subject caght me off guard. I believe that any one that reads this poem will be moved whether they believe in God or not. It depicts Jesus Christ being on the cross and sacrifising him self for everyone whether they were there at the time or were born thousands of years later such as my self.I believe this to be a great poem and hope that many other people read and enjoy this poem as I have

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