Old Rhythm and Rhyme by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
The poem explores the themes of nostalgia and longing for a past time when life was simpler and more carefree. The speaker reminisces about their childhood days spent playing and laughing with friends, and how they used to enjoy simple pleasures like rhyming games and storytelling. The poem also touches on the idea that as people grow older, they lose touch with their youthful selves and become more serious and solemn.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1886 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Classical · 381 words
First lines
They tell me new methods now govern the Muses, / The modes of expression have changed with the times; / That low is the rank of the poet who uses / The old-fashioned verse with intentional rhymes. / And quite out of date, too, is rhythmical metre; / The critics declare it an insult to art. / But oh! the sweet swing of it, oh! the clear ring of it, / Oh the great pulse of it, right from the heart, / Art or no art.
What this Textopian page supports
Old Rhythm and Rhyme is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1886 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Date: 1886 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Classical, Philosophical, Nature Writing
- Length: 381 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Old Rhythm and Rhyme by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Similar titles
- Time And Love by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Wishes by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Poems Of The Week by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Applause by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- A Song Of Life by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Contrasts by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse, with a focus on rhyme and rhythm.
- Romanticism — Themes of nature, emotion, and beauty are prevalent throughout the work.
- Classical — The use of traditional poetic forms and techniques aligns with classical literature.
- Philosophical — The text reflects on the nature of art and the value of traditional forms.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · Romanticism · Love Poems · Nature Poetry · Philosophical · Spiritual · Inspirational · Motivational · Uplifting · Optimistic · Emotional