Scraps by James Whitcomb Riley
The poem explores the theme of nostalgia and longing for a simpler time. It describes a childhood memory of playing with scraps of paper and fabric, and the joy that came from creating something new out of discarded materials. The speaker reflects on how those carefree days have been lost to adulthood and responsibility.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1887 · Genre: Poetry, Sentimental, Reflective · 351 words
First lines
There's a habit I have nurtured, / From the sentimental time / When my life was like a story, / And my heart a happy rhyme, -- / Of clipping from the paper, / Or magazine, perhaps, / The idle songs of dreamers, / Which I treasure as my scraps.
They hide among my letters, / And they find a cozy nest / In the bosom of my wrapper, / And the pockets of my vest; / They clamber in my fingers / Till my dreams of wealth relapse / In fairer dreams than Fortune's / Though I find them only scraps.
What this Textopian page supports
Scraps is listed on Textopian as a poem by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1887 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: 1887 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Sentimental, Reflective, Romantic, Literary
- Length: 351 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Scraps 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
- Florettys Musical Contribution by James Whitcomb Riley
- Uncle Sidney To Marcellus by James Whitcomb Riley
- A Good Man by James Whitcomb Riley
- A Gustatory Achievement by James Whitcomb Riley
- Harlie by James Whitcomb Riley
- Leonainie by James Whitcomb Riley
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Sentimental — The themes revolve around nostalgia and emotional reflection, typical of sentimental literature.
- Reflective — The content involves introspection and personal musings, aligning with reflective writing.
- Romantic — The emphasis on dreams, imagination, and emotional depth is indicative of romantic literature.
Tags
Poetry Collection · American Literature · 19th Century · Children's Verse · Humorous · Satirical · Social Commentary · Folkloric · Regionalism · Indiana · Midwestern · Rural Life