Away by James Whitcomb Riley (1888)
The poem is a nostalgic and melancholic reflection on the passing of time and the fleeting nature of life. It describes a scene where a person is leaving a place they once knew, surrounded by memories of their past. The speaker laments the loss of youth and the inevitability of aging, but also finds solace in the beauty of nature and the comfort of memories.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1888 · Genre: Poetry, Elegy, Pastoral · 255 words
First lines
I cannot say, and I will not say / That he is dead. He is just away!
With a cheery smile, and a wave of the hand / He has wandered into an unknown land,
And left us dreaming how very fair / It needs must be, since he lingers there.
And you -- O you, who the wildest yearn / For the old-time step and the glad return -- ,
What this Textopian page supports
Away 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, Elegy, Pastoral, Sentimental
- Length: 255 words
- Structure: 1 section, 12 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Away by James Whitcomb Riley
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Elegy — The poem reflects on the theme of death and remembrance, typical of an elegy.
- Pastoral — The imagery of nature and simple, rural life aligns with pastoral themes.
- Sentimental — The emotional tone and focus on personal feelings and memories are indicative of sentimental literature.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Nature · Solitude · Travel · Adventure · Imagination · Fantasy · Realism · Symbolism · Coming of Age