The Rainy Morning
The poem describes a rainy morning scene where the speaker reflects on the beauty of nature and the passing of time. The rain creates a melancholic atmosphere, but also brings life to the world outside. The speaker notes how the raindrops create a rhythmic sound that echoes through the streets, and how the smell of wet earth fills the air.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1883 · Genre: Poetry, Lyric, Nature · 236 words
First lines
The dawn of the day was dreary, And the lowering clouds o'erhead Wept in a silent sorrow Where the sweet sunshine lay dead; And a wind came out of the eastward Like an endless sigh of pain, And the leaves fell down in the pathway And writhed in the falling rain.
I had tried in a brave endeavor To chord my harp with the sun, But the strings would slacken ever, And the task was a weary one: And so, like a child impatient And sick of a discontent, I bowed in a shower of tear-drops And mourned with the instrument.
What this Textopian page supports
The Rainy Morning 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, Lyric, Nature, Romantic, Reflective
- Length: 236 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Rainy Morning 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 Rainy Morning?
- 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
- Rain by Edward Thomas
- Late October by Madison Cawein
- In November by Madison Cawein
- Mid Winter by Madison Cawein
- Sunset Clouds by Madison Cawein
- A Summer Evening by W. B. Yeats
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with a focus on rhythm and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, typical of lyric poetry.
- Nature — The imagery and themes revolve around natural elements like rain, clouds, and sunlight.
- Romantic — The poem emphasizes emotion, individual experience, and the beauty of nature, aligning with Romantic themes.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Morning · Rainy · Atmosphere · Mood · Emotion · Sensory · Imagery · Description · Vivid · Language