When June is here. (Ragweed and Fennel)
The poem describes a nostalgic scene of summer's end, where the speaker recalls the presence of June, symbolized by ragweed and fennel, which are now fading away with the season. The poem conveys a sense of melancholy and longing for the passing of time.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1883 · Genre: Poetry, Pastoral, Lyric · 164 words
First lines
When June is here -- what art have we to sing The whiteness of the lilies midst the green Of noon-tranced lawns? Or flash of roses seen Like redbirds' wings? Or earliest ripening Prince-Harvest apples, where the cloyed bees cling Round winey juices oozing down between The peckings of the robin, while we lean In under-grasses, lost in marveling. Or the cool term of morning, and the stir Of odorous breaths from wood and meadow walks, The bobwhite's liquid yodel, and the whir Of sudden flight; and, where the milkmaid talks Across the bars, on tilted barley-stalks The dewdrops' glint in webs of gossamer.
What this Textopian page supports
When June is here. (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, Pastoral, Lyric
- Length: 164 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter to convey its themes.
- Pastoral — The poem focuses on nature, rural life, and the beauty of the countryside.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and observations about the natural world.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Seasonal · Summer · Rural · Idyllic · Whimsical · Nostalgic · Sentimental · Romantic · Love · Relationships