The Lost Path
This collection of poetry explores themes of nostalgia and the passing of time, with a focus on rural life and the American Midwest. The poems often express a sense of longing for a simpler past and a connection to the natural world.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1871 · Genre: Romance, Pastoral, Lyric Poetry · 202 words
First lines
Alone they walked -- their fingers knit together, And swaying listlessly as might a swing Wherein Dan Cupid dangled in the weather Of some sun-flooded afternoon of Spring.
Within the clover-fields the tickled cricket Laughed lightly as they loitered down the lane, And from the covert of the hazel-thicket The squirrel peeped and laughed at them again.
The bumble-bee that tipped the lily-vases Along the road-side in the shadows dim, Went following the blossoms of their faces As though their sweets must needs be shared with him.
What this Textopian page supports
The Lost Path is listed on Textopian as a short story by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1871 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: 1871 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romance, Pastoral, Lyric Poetry, Symbolism
- Length: 202 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Lost Path 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 Path?
- How does this short story by James Whitcomb Riley fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Romance first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Romance — The poem centers on a couple walking together, highlighting themes of love and companionship.
- Pastoral — The setting is in nature, with vivid descriptions of fields, animals, and the countryside.
- Lyric Poetry — The work is a short, expressive poem focusing on personal emotions and nature.
- Symbolism — The imagery of the path leading to Paradise suggests deeper symbolic meanings of journey and destiny.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Nature · Mortality · Loss · Grief · Longing · Nostalgia · Memory · Imagery · Symbolism