Their Sweet Sorrow by James Whitcomb Riley
The poem explores the theme of nostalgia and longing for a lost love. It describes the speaker's memories of their past relationship, which has ended, but still lingers in their mind. The speaker reflects on the pain and sorrow that they experienced during the relationship, but also acknowledges the beauty and joy that it brought them.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1884 · Genre: Romance, Poetry, Drama · 205 words
First lines
They meet to say farewell: Their way / Of saying this is hard to say. -- / He holds her hand an instant, wholly / Distressed -- and she unclasps it slowly.
He bends his gaze evasively / Over the printed page that she / Recurs to, with a new-moon shoulder / Glimpsed from the lace-mists that enfold her.
The clock, beneath its crystal cup, / Discreetly clicks -- "Quick! Act! Speak up!"
A tension circles both her slender / Wrists -- and her raised eyes flash in splendor,
What this Textopian page supports
Their Sweet Sorrow is listed on Textopian as a poem by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1884 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: 1884 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romance, Poetry, Drama, Literary
- Length: 205 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Their Sweet Sorrow by James Whitcomb Riley
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Similar titles
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- An Old Heart by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Only The Diamond by Edna St Vincent Millay
- Cherish You Then The Hope I Shall Forget by Edna St Vincent Millay
- On Parting by Lord Byron
- She Had Forgotten by Edna St Vincent Millay
Genres
- Romance — The poem centers on a farewell between lovers, highlighting emotional tension and intimacy.
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse, utilizing rhyme and meter to convey its themes.
- Drama — The narrative involves dramatic elements of emotional conflict and resolution.
- Literary — The use of language and imagery suggests a focus on artistic expression and depth.
Tags
Poetry · Romance · Love · Heartbreak · Loss · Grief · Longing · Nostalgia · Melancholy · Sentimental · Emotional · Introspective