The Lovesick Scarecrow
"The Lovesick Scarecrow" by Oliver Herford is a whimsical poem about a scarecrow who falls in love with a crow, despite his purpose being to scare crows away. The scarecrow is torn between his duty and his feelings, lamenting the irony of his situation. He believes the crow reciprocates his affection, as she often hovers near him. However, unbeknownst to him, the crow is actually planning to use his straw heart to line her nest. The poem explores themes of unrequited love and the conflict between duty and desire, all wrapped in a humorous and ironic narrative.
By Oliver Herford · First published 1916 · Genre: Romantic Poetry, Humor, Allegory · 307 words
First lines
A scarecrow in a field of corn, A thing of tatters all forlorn, Once felt the influence of Spring And fell in love -- a foolish thing, And most particularly so In his case -- _for he loved a crow_!
"Alack-a-day! it's wrong, I know, It's wrong for me to love a crow; An all-wise man created me To scare the crows away," cried he; "And though the music of her ‘Caw' Thrills through and through this heart of straw,
What this Textopian page supports
The Lovesick Scarecrow is listed on Textopian as a short story by Oliver Herford, dated 1916 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: 1916 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romantic Poetry, Humor, Allegory, Pastoral, Tragicomedy
- Length: 307 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Lovesick Scarecrow by Oliver Herford
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Lovesick Scarecrow?
- How does this short story by Oliver Herford fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Romantic Poetry first become important in the reading?
Genres
- Romantic Poetry — The narrative centers on an unorthodox love affair expressed through lyrical verse.
- Humor — The absurd and ironic depiction of a scarecrow in love introduces playful, witty elements.
- Allegory — The use of anthropomorphic symbols, such as a scarecrow and a crow, conveys deeper themes of duty versus desire.
- Pastoral — The setting in a rural, cornfield environment lends a distinct pastoral quality to the piece.
Tags
humor · satire · romance · whimsy · poetry · quirky · irony · eccentric · witty · comedy · playfulness · nostalgia