Romancin' by James Whitcomb Riley

Name: Romancin'
Author: James Whitcomb Riley

The poem is a nostalgic and sentimental tribute to the joys of childhood romance. It describes the innocence and simplicity of first love, where emotions are raw and unbridled. The speaker reminisces about the thrill of being in love for the first time, with all its attendant feelings of euphoria and vulnerability.

By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1883 · Genre: Poetry, Nostalgia, Pastoral · 940 words

First lines

I' b'en a-kindo' "musin'," as the feller says, and I'm / About o' the conclusion that they hain't no better / time, / When you come to cipher on it, than the times we ust to / know / When we swore our first "dog-gone-it" sorto' solum-like / and low!

You git my idy, do you? -- LITTLE tads, you understand -- / Jest a-wishin' thue and thue you that you on'y wuz a / MAN. -- / Yit here I am, this minit, even sixty, to a day, / And fergittin' all that's in it, wishm' jest the other way!

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Romancin' 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, Nostalgia, Pastoral, Humor, Regionalism
Length: 940 words
Structure: 1 section, 13 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Genres

Poetry — The work is structured in verse, with a focus on rhythm, meter, and rhyme, characteristic of poetry.
Nostalgia — The themes revolve around reminiscing about the past and longing for simpler times.
Pastoral — The imagery and setting are rooted in nature and rural life, typical of pastoral literature.
Humor — The tone includes light-heartedness and playful language, contributing to a humorous effect.