The Orchard Lands of Long Ago
This collection of poetry explores the nostalgia and longing for a simpler time in rural America. The poems evoke a sense of idyllic childhood memories and the passing of time. They often focus on themes of nature, family, and community, with a strong emphasis on the beauty and tranquility of the natural world.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1883 · Genre: Poetry, Pastoral, Nostalgia · 277 words
First lines
The orchard lands of Long Ago!
O drowsy winds, awake, and blow / The snowy blossoms back to me, / And all the buds that used to be!
Blow back along the grassy ways / Of truant feet, and lift the haze / Of happy summer from the trees / That trail their tresses in the seas / Of grain that float and overflow / The orchard lands of Long Ago!
Blow back the melody that slips / In lazy laughter from the lips / That marvel much if any kiss / Is sweeter than the apple's is.
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The Orchard Lands of Long Ago is listed on Textopian as a poem by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1883 CE.
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- Work type: Poem
- Author: James Whitcomb Riley
- Date: 1883 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Pastoral, Nostalgia, Romanticism
- Length: 277 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Orchard Lands of Long Ago by James Whitcomb Riley
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Similar titles
- The Old Days by James Whitcomb Riley
- A Wraith Of Summertime by James Whitcomb Riley
- The Old Home By The Mill by James Whitcomb Riley
- The Old Hay Mow by James Whitcomb Riley
- The Old Oaken Bucket by James Baldwin
- The Old Times Were The Best by James Whitcomb Riley
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with a focus on rhythm, meter, and rhyme, characteristic of poetry.
- Pastoral — The themes revolve around nature, rural life, and an idealized vision of the countryside, typical of pastoral literature.
- Nostalgia — The text evokes a longing for the past and memories of a simpler, idyllic time, central to nostalgic literature.
- Romanticism — The emphasis on emotion, nature, and beauty aligns with the principles of Romantic literature.
Tags
Nostalgia · Poetry · Rural Life · American Literature · 19th Century · Autobiographical Elements · Childhood Memories · Nature Descriptions · Orchard Settings · Seasonal Themes · Summer Days · Youthful Innocence