On a Dead Babe by James Whitcomb Riley
The poem explores the theme of mortality and the passing of time through a nostalgic reflection on childhood memories. It describes a dead baby's lifeless body, emphasizing its beauty and innocence. The speaker mourns the loss of youth and the fleeting nature of human existence.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1883 · Genre: Poetry, Elegy, Lyrical · 128 words
First lines
Fly away! thou heavenly one! -- / I do hail thee on thy flight! / Sorrow? thou hath tasted none -- / Perfect joy is yourn by right. / Fly away! and bear our love / To thy kith and kin above!
I can tetch thy finger-tips / Ca'mly, and bresh back the hair / From thy forr'ed with my lips, / And not leave a teardrop thare. -- / Weep fer _Tomps and Ruth_ -- and _me_ -- / But I can not weep fer _thee_.
What this Textopian page supports
On a Dead Babe 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, Elegy, Lyrical, Sentimental
- Length: 128 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
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- Work identity for On a Dead Babe by James Whitcomb Riley
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Elegy — The poem reflects on death and loss, typical of an elegy.
- Lyrical — The poem expresses personal emotions and feelings, aligning with the lyrical genre.
- Sentimental — The poem evokes tender emotions and nostalgia, fitting the sentimental genre.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Nature · Death · Mortality · Loss · Grief · Reflection · Philosophy · Existentialism · Symbolism