Decoration Day on the Place
The poem describes a rural landscape where nature and human activity coexist. The speaker reflects on the passing of time and the changing seasons, noting how Decoration Day has become a distant memory. The focus shifts to the present moment, where children play in the yard, unaware of the past. The poem explores themes of nostalgia, mortality, and the cyclical nature of life.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1887 · Genre: Poetry, Historical, Patriotic · 504 words
First lines
It's lonesome -- sorto' lonesome, -- it's a _Sund'y-day_, to me, / It 'pears-like -- more'n any day I nearly ever see! -- / Yit, with the Stars and Stripes above, a-flutterin' in the air, / On ev'ry Soldier's grave I'd love to lay a lilly thare.
They say, though, Decoration Days is giner'ly observed / 'Most _ev'rywhares_ -- espeshally by soldier-boys that's served. -- / But me and Mother's never went -- we seldom git away, -- / In p'int o' fact, we're _allus_ home on _Decoration Day_.
What this Textopian page supports
Decoration Day on the Place is listed on Textopian as a poem by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1887 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: 1887 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Historical, Patriotic, Sentimental, Regional
- Length: 504 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Decoration Day on the Place 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 written in verse form with a rhythmic and lyrical quality, characteristic of poetry.
- Historical — The poem references historical events and traditions, specifically Decoration Day, which is related to honoring soldiers.
- Patriotic — The themes of national pride and honoring soldiers are central, with repeated references to the Stars and Stripes and the old war tunes.
- Sentimental — The poem evokes emotions of nostalgia and longing, particularly in the context of remembering fallen soldiers and personal loss.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Nature · Memorial Day · Rural Life · Nostalgia · Autobiographical · Regionalism · Indiana · Midwest · Seasonal