A Sudden Shower
The poem describes a sudden summer storm that brings relief from the heat and dryness of the season. The speaker reflects on how the storm's arrival is a welcome respite, bringing with it the scent of wet earth and the sound of raindrops hitting the ground. The poem explores themes of nature's cyclical patterns and the human experience of finding comfort in unexpected events.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1883 · Genre: Poetry, Nature, Children's Literature · 261 words
First lines
Barefooted boys scud up the street Or skurry under sheltering sheds; And schoolgirl faces, pale and sweet, Gleam from the shawls about their heads.
Doors bang; and mother-voices call From alien homes; and rusty gates Are slammed; and high above it all, The thunder grim reverberates.
And then, abrupt, -- the rain! the rain! -- The earth lies gasping; and the eyes Behind the streaming window-pane Smile at the trouble of the skies.
The highway smokes; sharp echoes ring; The cattle bawl and cowbells clank; And into town comes galloping The farmer's horse, with streaming flank.
What this Textopian page supports
A Sudden Shower 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, Nature, Children's Literature, Pastoral, Realism
- Length: 261 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Sudden Shower by James Whitcomb Riley
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Nature — The poem vividly describes natural elements and weather phenomena, focusing on a rain shower and its effects on the environment.
- Children's Literature — The imagery and themes, such as barefooted boys and schoolgirls, suggest an appeal to a younger audience.
- Pastoral — The depiction of rural life, including farm animals and natural settings, aligns with pastoral themes.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Imagery · Sensory Details · Seasonal · Weather · Rain · Shower · Mood · Atmosphere · Emotional · Reflective