The Blossoms on the Trees
This poem is a nostalgic and melancholic reflection on the passing of time and the fleeting nature of life. It describes the blossoms on trees that have bloomed and then withered away, leaving behind only memories. The speaker laments the loss of youth and beauty, and the inevitability of decline and death.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1883 · Genre: Poetry, Nature, Romantic · 208 words
First lines
Blossoms crimson, white, or blue, Purple, pink, and every hue, From sunny skies, to tintings drowned In dusky drops of dew, I praise you all, wherever found, And love you through and through; -- _But_, Blossoms On The Trees, With your breath upon the breeze, There's nothing all the world around As half as sweet as you!
Could the rhymer only wring All the sweetness to the lees Of all the kisses clustering In juicy Used-to-bes, To dip his rhymes therein and sing The blossoms on the trees, -- "O Blossoms on the Trees,"
He would twitter, trill and coo, "However sweet, such songs as these Are not as sweet as you: -- For you are _blooming_ melodies The _eyes_ may listen to! "
What this Textopian page supports
The Blossoms on the Trees 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, Nature, Romantic, Pastoral
- Length: 208 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Nature — The poem focuses on the beauty and variety of blossoms, emphasizing natural elements.
- Romantic — The language and imagery convey a deep affection and admiration for the blossoms, akin to romantic expression.
- Pastoral — The poem celebrates rural and natural beauty, a common theme in pastoral literature.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Imagery · Symbolism · Seasonal · Spring · Growth · Hope · Renewal · Beauty · Sensuality · Romanticism