A Wraith of Summertime by James Whitcomb Riley
The poem explores the theme of nostalgia and longing for a lost summer. It describes a wraith-like figure that haunts the speaker's memories, evoking feelings of melancholy and regret. The poem's tone is contemplative and introspective, reflecting on the passing of time and the fleeting nature of youth.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1888 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Pastoral · 191 words
First lines
In its color, shade and shine, / 'T was a summer warm as wine, / With an effervescent flavoring of flowered bough and vine, / And a fragrance and a taste / Of ripe roses gone to waste, / And a dreamy sense of sun- and moon- and star-light interlaced.
'Twas a summer such as broods / O'er enchanted solitudes, / Where the hand of Fancy leads us through voluptuary moods, / And with lavish love out-pours / All the wealth of out-of-doors, / And woos our feet o'er velvet paths and honeysuckle floors.
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, focusing on imagery and emotion.
- Romanticism — The text emphasizes nature, emotion, and the beauty of the past, characteristic of Romantic literature.
- Pastoral — The poem idealizes rural life and nature, depicting an idyllic summer landscape.
- Nostalgia — The theme revolves around longing for a past summer, evoking a sense of wistfulness.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Nature Imagery · Summer Theme · Wistful Tone · Melancholy Mood · Nostalgia · Childhood Memories · Coming of Age · Loss and Longing · Imagery Rich
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A Wraith of Summertime is listed on Textopian as a poem by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1888 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: 1888 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Pastoral, Nostalgia, Fantasy
- Length: 191 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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