In the Dark. (Rhymes of Rainy Days)
The poem describes a scene where the speaker is alone at night, surrounded by darkness and rain. The atmosphere is melancholic and introspective, with the speaker's thoughts consumed by memories of past love and loss. The poem explores themes of isolation, longing, and the passage of time.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1883 · Genre: Poetry, Lyric, Reflective · 254 words
First lines
O in the depths of midnight / What fancies haunt the brain! / When even the sigh of the sleeper / Sounds like a sob of pain.
A sense of awe and of wonder / I may never well define, -- / For the thoughts that come in the shadows / Never come in the shine.
The old clock down in the parlor / Like a sleepless mourner grieves, / And the seconds drip in the silence / As the rain drips from the eaves.
And I think of the hands that signal / The hours there in the gloom, / And wonder what angel watchers / Wait in the darkened room.
What this Textopian page supports
In the Dark. (Rhymes of Rainy Days) 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, Lyric, Reflective, Melancholic, Mystical
- Length: 254 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for In the Dark. (Rhymes of Rainy Days) by James Whitcomb Riley
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with a focus on rhythm and rhyme, characteristic of poetry.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, typical of lyric poetry.
- Reflective — The themes involve introspection and contemplation, common in reflective literature.
- Melancholic — The tone conveys a sense of sadness and longing, fitting the melancholic genre.
Tags
Poetry · Children's Literature · Nostalgia · Rhyming Verse · Nature Imagery · Whimsy · Imagination · Childhood Memories · Simple Language · Accessible Poetry · Educational Value · Classic Literature