
The poem explores the idea that one's dreams are often unattainable and may be replaced by more mundane realities. The speaker describes a scene where ragweed and fennel grow together, symbolizing the blending of reality and fantasy. The poem suggests that even in the most idyllic settings, the harsh realities of life can intrude.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1883 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, Fantasy · 385 words
I. When my dreams come true -- when my dreams come true -- / Shall I lean from out my casement, in the starlight and the dew, / To listen -- smile and listen to the tinkle of the strings / Of the sweet guitar my lover's fingers fondle, as he sings? / And as the nude moon slowly, slowly shoulders into view, / Shall I vanish from his vision -- when my dreams come true?
When my Dreams Come True. (Ragweed and Fennel) is listed on Textopian as a poem by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1883 CE.
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Poetry · Nostalgia · Romance · Nature · Imagery · Symbolism · Rural Life · Love · Longing · Dreams · Fantasy · Realism