Kneeling with Herrick. (down Around the River Po
The poem explores themes of love, loss, and nostalgia through the speaker's reminiscence of a past relationship with Herrick. The speaker reflects on their time together, recalling moments of joy and intimacy, but also acknowledges the pain and longing that has resulted from its end. The poem's structure and language evoke a sense of melancholy and wistfulness, underscoring the speaker's emotional state. The use of natural imagery, such as the river, serves to emphasize the passage of time and the transience of human experience. Through the speaker's narrative, the poem raises questions about the nature of love and memory, highlighting the complex interplay between past and present.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1883 · Genre: Poetry, Pastoral, Religious · 230 words
First lines
Dear Lord, to Thee my knee is bent. -- Give me content -- Full-pleasured with what comes to me, What e'er it be: An humble roof -- a frugal board, And simple hoard; The wintry fagot piled beside The chimney wide, While the enwreathing flames up-sprout And twine about The brazen dogs that guard my hearth And household worth: Tinge with the ember's ruddy glow The rafters low; And let the sparks snap with delight, As ringers might That mark deft measures of some tune The children croon: Then, with good friends, the rarest few Thou holdest true, Ranged round about the blaze, to share My comfort there, -- Give me to claim the service meet That makes each seat A place of honor, and each guest Loved as the rest.
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Kneeling with Herrick. (down Around the River Poems) is listed on Textopian as a poem by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1883 CE.
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- Work type: Poem
- Author: James Whitcomb Riley
- Date: 1883 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Pastoral, Religious, Domestic, Sentimental
- Length: 230 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Pastoral — The themes focus on simple, rural life and contentment with humble surroundings, typical of pastoral literature.
- Religious — The poem includes a direct address to the Lord, reflecting themes of spirituality and divine contentment.
- Domestic — The imagery centers around the home, hearth, and family, emphasizing domestic life and comfort.
Tags
Poetry Collection · American Literature · 19th Century Poetry · River Poems · Nature Poetry · Symbolism · Imagery · Figurative Language · Metaphor · Simile · Personification · Alliteration