Cricket in the Garden by Norman Gale
The poem depicts a chaotic scene in a garden where a young boy, full of energy and enthusiasm, engages in a game of cricket. His actions lead to the destruction of various flowers and plants, much to the dismay of the adults present. The boy's reckless play results in the demise of several plants, symbolizing the clash between youthful exuberance and the delicate nature of the garden. The narrative unfolds with vivid imagery, illustrating the boy's fierce determination as he plays, causing havoc among the flora. The reactions of the adults, particularly the aunts, highlight their frustration and concern for the garden's well-being. The poem captures the tension between the innocence of childhood play and the responsibilities of maintaining a garden. As the game progresses, the boy's triumphs in cricket are juxtaposed with the destruction of the plants, emphasizing the inevitable consequences of his actions. The poem concludes with a reflection on the boy's achievements and the loss suffered by the garden, suggesting a bittersweet acknowledgment of the passage of time and the fleeting nature of both childhood and beauty. The speaker resolves to take responsibility for the garden, indicating a desire to balance the joys of play with the need for care and preservation.
By Norman Gale · First published 1910 · Genre: Poetry, Nature, Childhood · 404 words
First lines
Before the aproned nurse arrives, To tell of soap and tub and sponges, My nephew, fierce and ruddy, drives, Disgraceful edges, callous lunges. Twenty auriculas declare The zeal of his peculiar magic, Till every aunt is in despair, And even Job (the cat) looks tragic.
Down goes a tulip's noble head! (Poor Auntie Nell is nearly crying! ) And now a stately stock is dead, And now a columbine is dying. Vainly the cook with female lobs Desires to hit the egg-box wicket; And not among the housemaid's jobs -- 'Tis very plain -- is garden cricket.
What this Textopian page supports
Cricket in the Garden is listed on Textopian as a poem by Norman Gale, dated 1910 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Norman Gale
- Date: 1910 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Nature, Childhood, Humor, Family
- Length: 404 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Cricket in the Garden by Norman Gale
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Cricket in the Garden?
- How does this poem by Norman Gale fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Voice Of The Pussy Willow by Oliver Herford
- The Tree Toad by James Whitcomb Riley
- Through The Green Forest by Edna St Vincent Millay
- Doctor Cricket by Norman Gale
- A Legend Of The Lily by Madison Cawein
- Evasion by Madison Cawein
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Nature — The poem vividly describes a garden setting and the interaction between nature and human activities.
- Childhood — The themes revolve around childhood play and the innocence of youth, particularly through the character of the nephew.
- Humor — The poem contains humorous elements, particularly in the depiction of the nephew's antics and the reactions of the adults.
Tags
Children's Literature · Fiction · Nature · Poetry · Imagery · Symbolism · Fantasy · Realism · Literary Device · Metaphor · Allegory · Coming of Age