Harlie by James Whitcomb Riley
The poem is a nostalgic and sentimental tribute to childhood innocence and the passing of time. It describes a young girl's life on a farm, her joys and sorrows, and her eventual departure from the only home she has ever known. The speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of youth and the inevitability of change.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1883 · Genre: Poetry, Elegy, Religious · 208 words
First lines
Fold the little waxen hands Lightly. Let your warmest tears Speak regrets, but never fears, -- Heaven understands!
Let the sad heart, o'er the tomb, Lift again and burst in bloom Fragrant with a prayer as sweet As the lily at your feet.
Bend and kiss the folded eyes -- They are only feigning sleep While their truant glances peep Into Paradise.
See, the face, though cold and white, Holds a hint of some delight E'en with Death, whose finger-tips Rest upon the frozen lips.
What this Textopian page supports
Harlie 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, Religious, Sentimental
- Length: 208 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Discussion starters
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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 deceased, a hallmark of elegiac writing.
- Religious — Themes of heaven, paradise, and spiritual understanding are prevalent, indicating religious undertones.
- Sentimental — The emotional tone and focus on personal loss and memory evoke a sentimental response.
Tags
American Literature · Poetry Collection · 19th Century · Children's Poetry · Humorous · Satirical · Social Commentary · Regionalism · Midwestern · Folkloric · Whimsical · Imaginative