The Bat. (Ragweed and Fennel)
This poem describes a bat that has been injured while trying to eat ragweed and fennel. The speaker notes the bat's futile attempts to fly despite its injuries. The poem explores themes of suffering, mortality, and the natural world.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1883 · Genre: Poetry, Horror, Fantasy · 198 words
First lines
I. Thou dread, uncanny thing, / With fuzzy breast and leathern wing, / In mad, zigzagging flight, / Notching the dusk, and buffeting / The black cheeks of the night, / With grim delight!
II. What witch's hand unhasps / Thy keen claw-cornered wings / From under the barn roof, and flings / Thee forth, with chattering gasps, / To scud the air, / And nip the lady-bug, and tear / Her children's hearts out unaware?
III. The glow-worm's glimmer, and the bright, / Sad pulsings of the fire-fly's light, / Are banquet lights to thee. / O less than bird, and worse than beast, / Thou Devil's self, or brat, at least, / Grate not thy teeth at me!
What this Textopian page supports
The Bat. (Ragweed and Fennel) 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, Horror, Fantasy, Nature
- Length: 198 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Bat. (Ragweed and Fennel) 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
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verses with a rhythmic and lyrical quality, characteristic of poetry.
- Horror — The imagery and themes evoke a sense of dread and the supernatural, typical of horror.
- Fantasy — The presence of mythical and supernatural elements, such as witches and devils, aligns with fantasy.
- Nature — The poem references natural elements like the barn, lady-bug, and fire-fly, indicating a connection to nature.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Imagery · Symbolism · Mythology · Folklore · Whimsy · Fantasy · Literary Fiction · American Literature · 19th Century Literature · Regionalism