The Lost Kiss
The poem is a nostalgic and melancholic reflection on lost love. It describes the speaker's longing for a past love that has been irretrievably lost. The poem explores themes of regret, memory, and the bittersweet nature of nostalgia.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1888 · Genre: Poetry, Sentimental, Family · 439 words
First lines
I put by the half-written poem, While the pen, idly trailed in my hand, Writes on -- , "Had I words to complete it, Who'd read it, or who'd understand?"
But the little bare feet on the stairway, And the faint, smothered laugh in the hall, And the eerie-low lisp on the silence, Cry up to me over it all.
What this Textopian page supports
The Lost Kiss is listed on Textopian as a short story by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1888 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: 1888 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Sentimental, Family, Fantasy, Reflective
- Length: 439 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Lost Kiss 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 Lost Kiss?
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Similar titles
- Will You Forget by Madison Cawein
- She Had Forgotten by Edna St Vincent Millay
- The Return by Edna St Vincent Millay
- Cherish You Then The Hope I Shall Forget by Edna St Vincent Millay
- On Parting by Lord Byron
- An Old Song by Madison Cawein
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Sentimental — The themes revolve around nostalgia, regret, and emotional reflection, typical of sentimental literature.
- Family — The narrative centers on familial relationships, particularly between a parent and child.
- Fantasy — The mention of a fairy and the whimsical tone introduce elements of fantasy.
Tags
Poetry · Romance · Love · Loss · Memory · Nostalgia · Longing · Yearning · Melancholy · Sorrow · Regret · Bittersweet