Faith by James Whitcomb Riley (1883)
The poem explores the theme of faith and its role in overcoming adversity. It describes a person's unwavering commitment to their beliefs despite facing challenges and hardships. The speaker emphasizes the importance of holding onto one's faith, even when it seems impossible to do so.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1883 · Genre: Poetry, Spiritual, Philosophical · 143 words
First lines
The sea was breaking at my feet, And looking out across the tide, Where placid waves and heaven meet, I thought me of the Other Side.
For on the beach on which I stood Were wastes of sands, and wash, and roar, Low clouds, and gloom, and solitude, And wrecks, and ruins -- nothing more.
"O, tell me if beyond the sea A heavenly port there is! " I cried, And back the echoes laughingly "There is! there is! " replied.
What this Textopian page supports
Faith is listed on Textopian as a poem by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1883 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: 1883 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Spiritual, Philosophical, Nature
- Length: 143 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Faith 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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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Spiritual — The themes explore concepts of faith and the afterlife, common in spiritual literature.
- Philosophical — The poem contemplates existential questions about life and the beyond, typical of philosophical works.
- Nature — The imagery of the sea and natural elements is prominent, aligning with nature writing.
Tags
Poetry · Spirituality · Religion · Faith · Philosophy · Meditation · Self-Discovery · Personal Growth · Inspirational · Uplifting · Hopeful · Optimistic