Has she Forgotten? by James Whitcomb Riley
The poem explores the theme of lost love and nostalgia for a past relationship that has faded from memory. The speaker reflects on how time has erased their former lover's image from their mind, leaving only a faint sense of longing.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1883 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, Tragedy · 493 words
First lines
I. Has she forgotten? On this very May / We were to meet here, with the birds and bees, / As on that Sabbath, underneath the trees / We strayed among the tombs, and stripped away / The vines from these old granites, cold and gray -- / And yet indeed not grim enough were they / To stay our kisses, smiles and ecstasies, / Or closer voice-lost vows and rhapsodies.
Has she forgotten -- that the May has won / Its promise? -- that the bird-songs from the tree / Are sprayed above the grasses as the sun / Might jar the dazzling dew down showeringly?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with a focus on rhythm, meter, and imagery, characteristic of poetry.
- Romance — The themes of love, longing, and emotional connection are central to the narrative.
- Tragedy — The poem explores themes of loss, grief, and unfulfilled love, which are key elements of tragedy.
- Elegy — The work reflects on loss and mourning, typical of an elegy, as the speaker laments a past relationship.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Romance · Love Poem · Nostalgia · Memory · Longing · Yearning · Melancholy · Sentimental · Emotional
What this Textopian page supports
Has she Forgotten? 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, Romance, Tragedy, Elegy, Lyric
- Length: 493 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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