A Fruit Piece
The poem is a nostalgic and melancholic reflection on the passing of time and the fleeting nature of life. It describes a fruit that has been left to rot, symbolizing the decay of youth and beauty. The speaker laments the loss of innocence and the inevitability of decline and death. The poem explores themes of mortality, nostalgia, and the transience of human experience.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1883 · Genre: Poetry, Pastoral, Imagism · 208 words
First lines
The afternoon of summer folds Its warm arms round the marigolds,
And with its gleaming fingers, pets The watered pinks and violets
That from the casement vases spill, Over the cottage window-sill,
Their fragrance down the garden walks Where droop the dry-mouthed hollyhocks.
What this Textopian page supports
A Fruit Piece is listed on Textopian as a poem by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1883 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: James Whitcomb Riley
- Date: 1883 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Pastoral, Imagism, Romanticism
- Length: 208 words
- Structure: 1 section, 13 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter to convey its themes.
- Pastoral — The poem focuses on nature, gardens, and the idyllic aspects of rural life.
- Imagism — The vivid imagery and detailed descriptions of natural elements align with the principles of imagism.
- Romanticism — The emphasis on nature, emotion, and beauty reflects characteristics of Romantic literature.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Imagery · Symbolism · Fruit · Still Life · Literary Device · Metaphor · Simile · Personification · Alliteration · Assonance