Climatic Sorcery by James Whitcomb Riley
The poem explores the idea that nature has a mystical power to shape human destiny through its climatic forces. It suggests that weather patterns can influence human emotions and actions, often in unpredictable ways. The speaker describes how the changing seasons can evoke feelings of melancholy or joy, and how the wind can carry the whispers of the past.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1871 · Genre: Poetry, Children's Literature, Fiction · 106 words
First lines
When frost's all on our winder, an' the snow's / All out-o'-doors, our "Old-Kriss"-milkman goes / A-drivin' round, ist purt'-nigh froze to death, / With his old white mustache froze full o' breath.
But when it's summer an' all warm ag'in, / He comes a-whistlin' an' a-drivin in / Our alley, 'thout no coat on, ner ain't cold, / Ner his mustache ain't white, ner he ain't old.
What this Textopian page supports
Climatic Sorcery is listed on Textopian as a poem by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1871 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: 1871 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Children's Literature, Fiction, Seasonal
- Length: 106 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Climatic Sorcery 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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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Children's Literature — The simple language and whimsical depiction of seasonal changes suggest it is aimed at a younger audience.
- Fiction — The narrative involves fictional elements, such as the personification of the milkman as 'Old-Kriss'.
- Seasonal — The themes revolve around the changing seasons, particularly winter and summer.
Tags
Fantasy · Adventure · Magic · Mystery · Romance · Historical Fiction · Coming of Age · Self-Discovery · Friendship · Love Story · Supernatural · Paranormal