The Touches of her Hands by James Whitcomb Riley
This poem is a nostalgic and sentimental tribute to the passing of time and the fleeting nature of human connection. It describes the speaker's memories of a woman's gentle touch, which has left an indelible mark on their life. The poem explores themes of love, loss, and the bittersweet passage of time.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1888 · Genre: Poetry, Romantic, Lyric · 213 words
First lines
The touches of her hands are like the fall / Of velvet snowflakes; like the touch of down / The peach just brushes 'gainst the garden wall; / The flossy fondling of the thistle-wisp / Caught in the crinkle of a leaf of brown / The blighting frost hath turned from green to crisp.
Soft as the falling of the dusk at night, / The touches of her hands, and the delight -- / The touches of her hands!
The touches of her hands are like the dew / That falls so softly down no one e'er knew / The touch thereof save lovers like to one / Astray in lights where ranged Endymion.
What this Textopian page supports
The Touches of her Hands is listed on Textopian as a poem 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: Poem
- Author: James Whitcomb Riley
- Date: 1888 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romantic, Lyric, Nature, Fantasy
- Length: 213 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Touches of her Hands by James Whitcomb Riley
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Romantic — The themes of love and beauty are central, with a focus on the gentle and tender qualities of a beloved's touch.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and feelings, typical of lyric poetry, with an emphasis on the sensory experience.
- Nature — The poem uses natural imagery, such as snowflakes and dew, to convey the softness and delicacy of touch.
Tags
Poetry · Romance · Love · Nature · Imagery · Sensuality · Tenderness · Intimacy · Emotional · Vivid · Descriptive · Symbolic