All Aboard! by Oliver Herford (1910)
The narrative unfolds at a railway station, capturing the emotional turmoil of a character grappling with the impending departure of a loved one. The protagonist pleads for time to pause, expressing a desire to articulate feelings that remain unspoken. The urgency of the moment is palpable as the character reflects on the fleeting nature of time and the weight of goodbyes. As the train prepares to leave, the protagonist experiences a mix of regret and frustration, lamenting the inability to convey heartfelt sentiments before the separation. The atmosphere is charged with tension, underscored by the protagonist's internal struggle between the desire to express love and the constraints of time. The scene encapsulates the universal theme of parting, highlighting the bittersweet nature of farewells. The protagonist's emotional state oscillates between hope and despair, ultimately culminating in the realization that the moment has passed, and the loved one is gone. The work poignantly illustrates the complexities of human emotions tied to love and loss, emphasizing the impact of time on relationships.
By Oliver Herford · First published 1910 · Genre: Poetry, Romantic, Drama · 162 words
First lines
Scene: a railway station.
Just two minutes more!
O Tempus, stand still, Stand still, I implore, One moment, until I have time to reflect On what I would say.
Give me time to collect My senses, I pray, Until I have said What my courage was mounting To say, when instead I was stupidly counting The moments that fled!
What this Textopian page supports
All Aboard! is listed on Textopian as a short story by Oliver Herford, dated 1910 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Oliver Herford
- Date: 1910 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romantic, Drama, Literary Fiction, Humor
- Length: 162 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for All Aboard! by Oliver Herford
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering All Aboard!?
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Romantic — The themes of longing, parting, and emotional reflection align with romantic literary elements.
- Drama — The scene depicts a moment of emotional tension and conflict, typical of dramatic literature.
- Literary Fiction — The focus on character emotions and introspection places it within literary fiction.
Tags
Children's Literature · Humor · Railway · Travel · Adventure · Nostalgia · Imagination · Fantasy · Poetry · Rhyme · Wordplay · Satire