Knee-Deep in June
The poem is a nostalgic and melancholic reflection on the passing of time and the fleeting nature of youth. It describes a summer day when the speaker was a child, knee-deep in June corn, feeling carefree and full of life. The poem then shifts to the present, where the speaker is now an adult, looking back on those idyllic days with a sense of longing and nostalgia.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1883 · Genre: Poetry, Pastoral, American Literature · 971 words
First lines
I. Tell you what I like the best -- 'Long about knee-deep in June, 'Bout the time strawberries melts On the vine, -- some afternoon Like to jes' git out and rest, And not work at nothin' else'
II. Orchard's where I'd ruther be -- Needn't fence it in fer me! -- Jes' the whole sky overhead, And the whole airth underneath -- Sorto' so's a man kin breathe Like he ort, and kindo' has Elbow-room to keerlessly Sprawl out len'thways on the grass Where the shadders thick and soft As the kivvers on the bed Mother fixes in the loft Allus, when they's company!
What this Textopian page supports
Knee-Deep in June 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, Pastoral, American Literature, Nostalgia, Realism
- Length: 971 words
- Structure: 1 section, 16 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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Similar titles
- Written In Bunners Airs From Arcady by James Whitcomb Riley
- June At Woodruff by James Whitcomb Riley
- Knee Deep In June In Dialect by James Whitcomb Riley
- Winter Fancies by James Whitcomb Riley
- A Summers Day by James Whitcomb Riley
- The Old Days by James Whitcomb Riley
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse, with a focus on rhythm, meter, and imagery typical of poetry.
- Pastoral — The themes and imagery revolve around nature, rural life, and the beauty of the countryside, characteristic of pastoral literature.
- American Literature — The language, setting, and cultural references are distinctly American, reflecting the regional dialect and lifestyle.
- Nostalgia — The work evokes a longing for simpler times and the pleasures of nature, a common theme in nostalgic literature.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Nature · Seasonal · Summer · Rural Life · Farmland · Agriculture · Childhood Memories · Nostalgia · Simple Living