Inspiration for Joyce Kilmer's famous poem "Trees" came from tree in his yard, his father stated in newly-discovered letter.

RAMSEY, NJ -- According to Joyce Kilmer's father, the poet patriot was inspired by "a commonplace tree in his backyard" in writing his famous poem, "Trees," which is marking its 100th anniversary this year. 

Alex Michelini, founder of the Joyce Kilmer Society of Mahwah, told a meeting of the Bergen Highlands-Ramsey Rotary Club Monday (11-18) a letter written by Kilmer's father, Frederick Barnett Kilmer, on November 2, 1932 stated: "His famous poem 'Trees,' the exaltation  of a commonplace tree in his backyard, has circled the globe."

 The letter was written by the elder Kilmer to the students, teachers and staff of the Joyce Kilmer School in Chicago at dedication ceremonies in which he was to speak but had to withdraw because of poor health.

The letter was located by the Society in the Alexander Library at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. It was found in one of four large scrapbooks kept by Joyce Kilmer's parents from his childhood to his death in World War I.

 Joyce Kilmer lived in Mahwah from 1912 to near the end of 1916.

Research by the Society shows Kilmer wrote the poem in his Mahwah house on February 2, 1913. The Society located a 1929 letter by his widow, Aline, describing in detail the writing of "Trees" and the actual notebook in which the poem was written and dated in the Kilmer collection in Georgetown University Library.

 Michelini showed a photocopy of Frederick Kilmer's letter in a slide presentation to the Rotary Club, whose emblem contains a tree and the inscription, "the Kilmer tree." The club covers the towns of Ramsey, Mahwah, Allendale, Upper Saddle River and Saddle River. 

"I am very happy to be here today because I am addressing an organization that honors Joyce Kilmer every day with its emblem," said Michelini.

The Society is presenting a series of exhibits and lectures to libraries and other venues throughout New Jersey on the life and accomplishments of Joyce Kilmer. The next lecture will be Wednesday (11-20) at the Franklin Lakes Public Library. In December, it will present an exhibit at Ramapo College and an exhibit and lecture at the Joyce Kilmer School in Mahwah.