When the Frost is on the Punkin
The poem describes a rural autumn scene where children are playing outside on a cold day. The frost has formed a hard crust on the pumpkin that had been left in the field. The speaker reflects on how the frost has preserved the pumpkin, making it look like a work of art. The poem is a nostalgic and idyllic portrayal of childhood and rural life.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1883 · Genre: Poetry, Pastoral, Regionalism · 523 words
First lines
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock, And you hear the kyouck and gobble of the struttin' turkey-cock, And the clackin' of the guineys, and the cluckin' of the hens, And the rooster's hallylooyer as he tiptoes on the fence; O, it's then's the times a feller is a-feelin' at his best, With the risin' sun to greet him from a night of peaceful rest, As he leaves the house, bare-headed, and goes out to feed the stock, When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.
What this Textopian page supports
When the Frost is on the Punkin 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, Regionalism, Nostalgia
- Length: 523 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with a rhythmic and rhyming pattern, characteristic of poetry.
- Pastoral — The poem celebrates rural life and the beauty of the countryside, focusing on agricultural themes and the changing seasons.
- Regionalism — The language and imagery reflect a specific regional dialect and setting, emphasizing local color and culture.
- Nostalgia — The poem evokes a sense of longing for the simplicity and comfort of rural life in the past.
Tags
Autumnal · Poem · Nostalgia · Childhood · Memory · Seasonal · Frost · Punkin · Harvest · Rural · Simple · Joyful