From the Headboard of a Grave in Paraguay
The poem explores themes of mortality and the fleeting nature of life. It describes a grave in Paraguay with an inscription that reflects on the transience of human existence. The speaker notes how the headboard bears witness to the passing of time, serving as a reminder of the impermanence of all things.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1879 · Genre: Poetry, Tragedy, Symbolism · 89 words
First lines
A troth, and a grief, and a blessing, / Disguised them and came this way -- , / And one was a promise, and one was a doubt, / And one was a rainy day.
And they met betimes with this maiden, / And the promise it spake and lied, / And the doubt it gibbered and hugged itself, / And the rainy day -- she died.
What this Textopian page supports
From the Headboard of a Grave in Paraguay is listed on Textopian as a poem by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1879 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: 1879 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Tragedy, Symbolism, Romanticism
- Length: 89 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
Good citation fit
- Work identity for From the Headboard of a Grave in Paraguay 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
- Sweet Fern by John Greenleaf Whittier
- A Woodland Grave by Madison Cawein
- The Lost Path by James Whitcomb Riley
- Stanzas by Edgar Allan Poe
- Last Days by Madison Cawein
- Days And Dreams by Madison Cawein
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with a focus on rhythm and meter.
- Tragedy — The themes involve grief, doubt, and death, culminating in a tragic outcome.
- Symbolism — The use of abstract concepts like promise, doubt, and a rainy day as characters suggests symbolic representation.
- Romanticism — The emotional depth and exploration of themes like love and loss align with Romantic literary traditions.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Symbolism · Imagery · Nature · Death · Mortality · Paradise Lost · Grief · Loss · Memory