The Circus Parade
This poem describes a festive procession of circus performers and animals marching through the streets, accompanied by music and cheering crowds. The scene is depicted as vibrant and joyful, with a sense of community and celebration.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1887 · Genre: Poetry, Children's Literature, Fantasy · 446 words
First lines
The Circus! -The Circus! -The throb of the drums, And the blare of the horns, as the Band-wagon comes; The clash and the clang of the cymbals that beat, As the glittering pageant winds down the long street!
In the Circus parade there is glory clean down From the first spangled horse to the mule of the Clown, With the gleam and the glint and the glamour and glare Of the days of enchantment all glimmering there!
What this Textopian page supports
The Circus Parade is listed on Textopian as a short story 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: Short story
- Author: James Whitcomb Riley
- Date: 1887 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Children's Literature, Fantasy, Adventure, Historical
- Length: 446 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Circus Parade 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
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Circus Parade?
- How does this short story by James Whitcomb Riley fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhythmic and rhyming elements typical of poetry.
- Children's Literature — The vivid imagery and fantastical elements appeal to a younger audience, characteristic of children's literature.
- Fantasy — The depiction of mythical and fantastical elements, such as chariots from Neptune and Argonaut dreams, aligns with fantasy themes.
- Adventure — The dynamic and lively description of the circus parade evokes a sense of adventure and excitement.
Tags
Children's Literature · Poetry Collection · American Literature · 19th Century Literature · Nostalgia · Childhood Memories · Circus Theme · Imagination · Fantasy · Whimsy · Humor · Rhyming Verse