George a. Carr. Greenfield, July 21, 1914
The poem is a nostalgic and melancholic reflection on the passing of time and the fleeting nature of life. It describes a summer day in Greenfield, Indiana, where the speaker recalls a past love who has since moved away. The poem's tone is wistful and introspective, with a focus on the bittersweet memories of a lost love.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1883 · Genre: Poetry, Elegy, Nostalgia · 195 words
First lines
O playmate of the far-away / And dear delights of Boyhood's day, / And friend and comrade true and tried / Through length of years of life beside, / I bid you thus a fond farewell / Too deep for words or tears to tell.
But though I lose you, nevermore / To greet you at the open door, / To grasp your hand or see your smile, / I shall be thankful all the while / Because your love and loyalty / Have made a happier world for me.
So rest you, Playmate, in that land / Still hidden from us by His hand, / Where you may know again in truth / All of the glad days of your youth -- / As when in days of endless ease / We played beneath the apple trees.
What this Textopian page supports
George a. Carr. Greenfield, July 21, 1914 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, Elegy, Nostalgia, Friendship, Sentimental
- Length: 195 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for George a. Carr. Greenfield, July 21, 1914 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 a focus on rhythm and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Elegy — The poem expresses sorrow and lamentation for the loss of a friend, fitting the elegiac tradition.
- Nostalgia — Themes of reminiscing about past joys and childhood are central to the work.
- Friendship — The poem centers on the deep bond and loyalty between friends.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Indiana · Regionalism · Rural Life · Nature · Imagery · Symbolism · Free Verse · Lyric Poetry · Autobiographical Elements