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 Easy (7th Grade)
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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