Summer Night, Riverside
The poem evokes a nostalgic summer night spent by the Hudson River, where the speaker recalls intimate moments shared with a companion. The imagery of the park, the shimmering lights on the water, and the blooming tree creates a romantic atmosphere. The speaker reflects on the beauty of the night, marked by the soft darkness and the delicate presence of stars. As the poem progresses, the speaker contrasts the past with the present, noting the return of June and the cyclical nature of seasons. The mention of a girl shaking blossoms from her hair symbolizes the continuity of youthful love and the fleeting nature of such moments. The poem captures the essence of memory, longing, and the bittersweet passage of time, intertwining personal experience with the natural world. The overall tone is one of wistfulness, celebrating both the joy of love and the inevitability of change.
By Sara Teasdale · First published 1917 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Nature Poetry · 184 words
First lines
IN the wild soft summer darkness How many and many a night we two together Sat in the park and watched the Hudson Wearing her lights like golden spangles Glinting on black satin.
The rail along the curving pathway Was low in a happy place to let us cross, And down the hill a tree that dripped with bloom Sheltered us While your kisses and the flowers, Falling, falling, Tangled my hair. .
The frail white stars moved slowly over the sky.
And now, far off In the fragrant darkness The tree is tremulous again with bloom For June comes back.
What this Textopian page supports
Summer Night, Riverside is listed on Textopian as a poem by Sara Teasdale, dated 1917 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Sara Teasdale
- Date: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Nature Poetry, Imagism, Nostalgia
- Length: 184 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Summer Night, Riverside by Sara Teasdale
- 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 Summer Night, Riverside?
- How does this poem by Sara Teasdale fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Lyric Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- I Dreamed Of Forest Alleys Fair by Robert Louis Stevenson
- Air Of Diabellis by Robert Louis Stevenson
- A Day Dream by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
- The Rose by Sara Teasdale
- A Fantasy by Sara Teasdale
- At Night by Sara Teasdale
Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of love, nature, and beauty align with Romantic ideals.
- Nature Poetry — The vivid imagery of nature and the setting plays a significant role in the poem.
- Imagism — The use of precise imagery and focus on visual elements reflects Imagist principles.
Tags
summer · night · riverside · romance · nature · nostalgia · beauty · love · poetry · Hudson River · flowers · stars