My Boy by James Whitcomb Riley

Name: My Boy
Author: James Whitcomb Riley

The story revolves around a young boy who lives with his mother and grandmother on a farm. He is depicted as being very close to nature and has a deep understanding of the world around him. The narrative explores themes of childhood innocence, simplicity, and the beauty of rural life.

By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1888 · Genre: Poetry, Coming-of-Age, Literary · 96 words

First lines

You smile and you smoke your cigar, my boy; / You walk with a languid swing; / You tinkle and tune your guitar, my boy, / And you lift up your voice and sing; / The midnight moon is a friend of yours, / And a serenade your joy -- / And it's only an age like mine that cures / A trouble like yours, my boy!

Open reader

What this Textopian page supports

My Boy is listed on Textopian as a poem by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1888 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: 1888 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Coming-of-Age, Literary
Length: 96 words
Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs

Good citation fit

Work identity for My Boy by James Whitcomb Riley
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
Readability and classroom-planning context
Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Similar titles

Genres

Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
Coming-of-Age — The themes reflect youthful behavior and the transition to maturity.
Literary — The writing style emphasizes artistic expression and thematic depth.