Old October by James Whitcomb Riley
The poem describes the passing of time and the changing seasons, with a focus on autumn. It portrays the season as a nostalgic and melancholic period, marked by the fading of summer's warmth and vitality. The speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of decline and loss.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1883 · Genre: Poetry, Pastoral, Nostalgia · 336 words
First lines
Old October's purt' nigh gone, / And the frosts is comin' on / Little HEAVIER every day -- / Like our hearts is thataway!
Leaves is changin' overhead / Back from green to gray and red, / Brown and yeller, with their stems / Loosenin' on the oaks and e'ms; / And the balance of the trees / Gittin' balder every breeze -- / Like the heads we're scratchin' on!
What this Textopian page supports
Old October 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, Nostalgia, Regionalism, Autumnal
- Length: 336 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Old October 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
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Pastoral — The poem reflects on nature and the changing seasons, typical of pastoral themes.
- Nostalgia — The poem expresses a longing for the past and a sentimental reflection on October.
- Regionalism — The language and imagery evoke a specific rural setting and local culture.
Tags
Poetry · Autumn · Nature · Seasonal · Rural · American · Literary · Symbolism · Imagery · Figurative Language · Metaphor · Personification