An Old Sweetheart of Mine
The poem is a nostalgic and melancholic reflection on a past love affair that has ended. The speaker reminisces about the memories of their time together, but acknowledges that the relationship is now over and cannot be revived. The tone is bittersweet, with a sense of longing and regret for what could never be again.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1893 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, Nostalgia · 1,111 words
First lines
An old sweetheart of mine! -- Is this her presence here with me, / Or but a vain creation of a lover's memory?
A fair, illusive vision that would vanish into air / Dared I even touch the silence with the whisper of a prayer?
What this Textopian page supports
An Old Sweetheart of Mine is listed on Textopian as a poem by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1893 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: 1893 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romance, Nostalgia, Sentimental, Domestic Fiction
- Length: 1,111 words
- Structure: 1 section, 22 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for An Old Sweetheart of Mine 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
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Similar titles
- An Old Sweetheart Sweet Knot And Galamus by James Whitcomb Riley
- The Lost Kiss by James Whitcomb Riley
- A Good Bye by James Whitcomb Riley
- On Parting by Lord Byron
- A Reminiscence by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- An Old Friend by James Whitcomb Riley
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter to convey its themes.
- Romance — The central theme revolves around love and nostalgia for a past romantic relationship.
- Nostalgia — The narrative is driven by reflections on past memories and longing for earlier times.
- Sentimental — The work evokes strong emotional responses through its focus on tender memories and emotions.
Tags
Poem · Ballad · Romance · Nostalgia · Love · Longing · Memory · Sentimental · Melancholy · Wistful · Yearning · Tender