The Old Home by the Mill. (Ragweed and Fennel)
This poem is a nostalgic reflection on the passing of time and the changing seasons. It describes a rural landscape where the speaker recalls childhood memories of playing among ragweed and fennel near an old home by a mill. The poem explores themes of nostalgia, memory, and the cyclical nature of life.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1883 · Genre: Poetry, Nostalgia, Domestic Fiction · 450 words
First lines
This is "The old Home by the Mill" -- far we still call it so, Although the old mill, roof and sill, is all gone long ago. The old home, though, and old folks, and the old spring, and a few Old cat-tails, weeds and hartychokes, is left to welcome you!
Here, Marg'et, fetch the man a tin to drink out of' Our spring Keeps kindo-sorto cavin' in, but don't "taste" anything! She's kindo agein', Marg'et is -- "the old process," like me, All ham-stringed up with rheumatiz, and on in seventy-three.
What this Textopian page supports
The Old Home by the Mill. (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, Nostalgia, Domestic Fiction, Pastoral, Sentimental
- Length: 450 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Old Home by the Mill. (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
- 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 Old Home by the Mill. (Ragweed and Fennel)?
- How does this poem by James Whitcomb Riley fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Old Oaken Bucket by James Baldwin
- The Old Swimmin Hole by James Whitcomb Riley
- Knee Deep In June In Dialect by James Whitcomb Riley
- The Days Gone By by James Whitcomb Riley
- The Old Home By The Mill by James Whitcomb Riley
- Find The Favorite by James Whitcomb Riley
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Nostalgia — The themes revolve around reminiscing about the past and the changes over time.
- Domestic Fiction — Focuses on family life, relationships, and the dynamics of a household.
- Pastoral — Describes rural life and settings, emphasizing simplicity and nature.
Tags
Poetry · Nostalgia · Rural Life · Childhood Memories · Autobiographical · Indiana Setting · Nature Imagery · Folkloric Elements · Simple Language · Free Verse · Imagistic Style · Symbolism