Ylladmar by James Whitcomb Riley
The poem explores the theme of nostalgia and longing for a lost childhood. It describes a young girl's memories of her grandfather, who has passed away, and her desire to relive those happy moments with him. The speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of loss, but also finds solace in the enduring power of memory and love.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1871 · Genre: Poetry, Romantic, Lyric · 246 words
First lines
Her hair was, oh, so dense a blur Of darkness, midnight envied her; And stars grew dimmer in the skies To see the glory of her eyes; And all the summer rain of light That showered from the moon at night Fell o'er her features as the gloom Of twilight o'er a lily-bloom.
The crimson fruitage of her lips Was ripe and lush with sweeter wine Than burgundy or muscadine Or vintage that the burgher sips In some old garden on the Rhine: And I to taste of it could well Believe my heart a crucible Of molten love -- and I could feel The drunken soul within me reel And rock and stagger till it fell.
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Ylladmar is listed on Textopian as a poem by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1871 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: 1871 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romantic, Lyric, Imagery, Symbolism
- Length: 246 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Romantic — The themes revolve around intense emotions and admiration for a beloved, typical of romantic literature.
- Lyric — The work expresses personal emotions and feelings, aligning with the lyric genre.
- Imagery — Rich visual descriptions and metaphors are used to evoke vivid images, a hallmark of imagery-focused writing.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Folklore · Mythology · Symbolism · Nature Imagery · Imaginative Realism · Fantasy · Romanticism · Whimsy · Humor