Slumber-Song by James Whitcomb Riley
The poem is a nostalgic and melancholic reflection on the passing of time and the fleeting nature of childhood innocence. It describes a summer evening scene where children are singing a lullaby to their mother, who is struggling with the weight of responsibility and the loss of her youth. The speaker reflects on how quickly time has passed and how the children's voices have changed, symbolizing the inevitability of growth and maturity.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1883 · Genre: Poetry, Lullaby, Children's Literature · 131 words
First lines
Sleep, little one! The Twilight folds her gloom Full tenderly about the drowsy Day, And all his tinselled hours of light and bloom Like toys are laid away.
Sleep! sleep! The noon-sky's airy cloud of white Has deepened wide o'er all the azure plain; And, trailing through the leaves, the skirts of Night Are wet with dews as rain.
But rest thou sweetly, smiling in thy dreams, With round fists tossed like roses o'er thy head, And thy tranc'd lips and eyelids kissed with gleams Of rapture perfected.
What this Textopian page supports
Slumber-Song 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, Lullaby, Children's Literature, Pastoral
- Length: 131 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with a focus on rhythm and imagery.
- Lullaby — The content and tone are soothing and intended to lull a child to sleep.
- Children's Literature — The themes and language are simple and comforting, suitable for a young audience.
- Pastoral — The imagery includes natural elements like twilight, clouds, and night, evoking a serene rural setting.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Children's Verse · Nursery Rhyme · Lullaby · Sleep · Dreams · Nature Imagery · Symbolism · Imagery · Figurative Language