Her Beautiful Hands by James Whitcomb Riley
The poem describes a woman's hands as beautiful and delicate, with fingers that are long and slender. They are said to be capable of playing the piano with great skill and beauty. The speaker notes that these hands have been worn by hard work and use, but they remain beautiful despite this. The poem is a tribute to the beauty and elegance of the woman's hands.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1883 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, Sentimental · 442 words
First lines
Your hands -- they are strangely fair!
O Fair -- for the jewels that sparkle there, -- / Fair -- for the witchery of the spell / That ivory keys alone can tell; / But when their delicate touches rest / Here in my own do I love them best, / As I clasp with eager, acquisitive spans / My glorious treasure of beautiful hands!
What this Textopian page supports
Her Beautiful Hands 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, Sentimental, Lyric
- Length: 442 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Her Beautiful Hands by James Whitcomb Riley
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse, with a focus on rhythm, meter, and imagery, characteristic of poetry.
- Romance — The themes of love, longing, and admiration for a beloved's physical attributes are central to the narrative.
- Sentimental — The emotional tone is nostalgic and tender, emphasizing deep feelings and personal reflection.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, typical of lyric poetry, focusing on the speaker's inner experience.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Feminine Perspective · Domestic Life · Marriage · Love · Nature Imagery · Symbolism · Imagery · Figurative Language · Metaphor