Her Smile of Cheer and Voice of Song. Anna Harri
The poem describes a woman's smile and voice as sources of joy and comfort to those around her. Her smile is likened to sunshine that brightens the day, while her voice is compared to music that soothes the soul. The speaker reflects on how her presence brings happiness and peace to all who know her.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1887 · Genre: Poetry, Elegy, Pastoral · 197 words
First lines
Spring fails, in all its bravery of brilliant gold and green, -- / The sun, the grass, the leafing tree, and all the dazzling scene / Of dewy morning -- orchard blooms, / And woodland blossoms and perfumes / With bird-songs sown between.
Yea, since _she_ smiles not any more, so every flowery thing / Fades, and the birds seem brooding o'er her silence as they sing -- / Her smile of cheer and voice of song / Seemed so divinely to belong / To ever-joyous Spring!
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with a focus on rhythm, meter, and imagery, characteristic of poetry.
- Elegy — The themes of mourning and loss, along with the lamentation of a deceased person, align with the elegiac tradition.
- Pastoral — The depiction of nature, spring, and idyllic scenes reflects the pastoral genre's emphasis on the beauty of the natural world.
- Romanticism — The emphasis on emotion, nature, and the transcendence of the human spirit is indicative of Romantic literary themes.
Tags
Poetry Collection · American Literature · 19th Century Poetry · Children's Verse · Nursery Rhymes · Folk Poems · Humorous Poetry · Satirical Poetry · Social Commentary · Regionalism · Indiana Literature · Midwestern Literature
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Her Smile of Cheer and Voice of Song. Anna Harris Randall is listed on Textopian as a poem by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1887 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: 1887 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Elegy, Pastoral, Romanticism
- Length: 197 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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