On Rainy Days by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
The poem explores the theme of nostalgia and longing for a past love. The speaker reflects on rainy days that remind them of their former lover, evoking memories of tender moments they shared together. The poem expresses a deep sense of melancholy and yearning, as the speaker acknowledges that those happy times are lost forever.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1916 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, Melancholy · 234 words
First lines
On rainy days old dreams arise, From graves where they have lonely lain; With wan white cheeks and mournful eyes, They press against the window pane. One dream is bolder than the rest: She enters at the door and stays, A welcome yet unbidden guest On rainy days.
On rainy days, my dream and I Turn back the hands of memory's books: We sup on pleasures long gone by -- We drink of unforgotten brooks; We ransack garrets of the Past, We sing old songs, we play old plays; While hurrying Time looks on aghast, On rainy days.
What this Textopian page supports
On Rainy Days is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1916 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: 1916 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romance, Melancholy, Nostalgia, Fantasy
- Length: 234 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse and employs poetic devices such as rhyme and meter.
- Romance — Themes of love and longing are central to the narrative.
- Melancholy — The tone is reflective and sorrowful, focusing on past memories and lost pleasures.
- Nostalgia — The work heavily emphasizes reminiscing about the past and reliving old memories.
Tags
Poetry · Romance · Love · Nature · Weather · Melancholy · Longing · Nostalgia · Sentimental · Emotional · Introspective · Personal