That Night by James Whitcomb Riley
The poem describes a night scene where the speaker reflects on the passing of time and the fleeting nature of life. The moon casts an eerie glow over the landscape, symbolizing the inevitability of death. The speaker's tone is melancholic, yet resigned to the cycle of life and death.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1883 · Genre: Romantic Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Imagist Poetry · 250 words
First lines
You and I, and that night, with its perfume and glory! -- The scent of the locusts -- the light of the moon; And the violin weaving the waltzers a story, Enmeshing their feet in the weft of the tune, Till their shadows uncertain Reeled round on the curtain, While under the trellis we drank in the June.
Soaked through with the midnight the cedars were sleeping, Their shadowy tresses outlined in the bright Crystal, moon-smitten mists, where the fountain's heart, leaping Forever, forever burst, full with delight; And its lisp on my spirit Fell faint as that near it Whose love like a lily bloomed out in the night.
What this Textopian page supports
That Night 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: Romantic Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Imagist Poetry, Nostalgic Poetry
- Length: 250 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Genres
- Romantic Poetry — The poem is centered around themes of love, romance, and the beauty of a shared moment, expressed through lyrical and emotive language.
- Lyric Poetry — The work captures personal emotions and reflections, focusing on the speaker's feelings and experiences during a specific night.
- Imagist Poetry — The poem uses vivid imagery and sensory details to evoke the atmosphere and emotions of the night, emphasizing visual and sensory impressions.
- Nostalgic Poetry — The poem reflects on past experiences with a sense of longing and reminiscence, highlighting the emotional impact of memory.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Nature · Romance · Love · Moonlight · Nighttime · Solitude · Reflection · Nostalgia · Longing