In the Evening by James Whitcomb Riley
The poem explores themes of nostalgia and longing for a lost time. It describes the passing of an evening, with the speaker reflecting on the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of change. The tone is melancholic, with a sense of wistfulness for what has been lost.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1883 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, Reflective · 228 words
First lines
I. In the evening of our days, / When the first far stars above / Glimmer dimmer, through the haze, / Than the dewy eyes of love, / Shall we mournfully revert / To the vanished morns and Mays / Of our youth, with hearts that hurt, -- / In the evening of our days?
II. Shall the hand that holds your own / Till the twain are thrilled as now, / Be withheld, or colder grown?
Shall my kiss upon your brow / Falter from its high estate?
And, in all forgetful ways, / Shall we sit apart and wait -- / In the evening of our days?
Similar titles
- When Evening Shadows Fall by James Whitcomb Riley
- At Dusk by James Whitcomb Riley
- The Creek by Madison Cawein
- Sunset by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- In The Afternoon by James Whitcomb Riley
- The White Evening by Madison Cawein
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with a focus on rhythm, meter, and rhyme.
- Romance — The themes revolve around love, companionship, and emotional connection between partners.
- Reflective — The poem contemplates the passage of time and the enduring nature of love in later life.
- Philosophical — It explores existential themes such as the meaning of life and the inevitability of aging.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Nature · Evening · Sunset · Reflections · Meditative · Peaceful · Serene · Quiet · Solitude
What this Textopian page supports
In the Evening 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, Reflective, Philosophical
- Length: 228 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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