Section: «Poems»

Verse (ancient Greek ὁ στίχος — row, structure), a term in versification used in several meanings: artistic speech organized by division into rhythmically commensurate segments; poetry in the narrow sense; in particular, it implies the properties of versification of a particular tradition ("antique verse", "Akhmatova's verse", etc.); a line of poetic text organized according to a certain rhythmic pattern ("My uncle of the most honest rules").

Mr. What's-His-Name

They called him Mr. What's-his-name:From where he was, or why he came,Or when, or what he found to do,Nobody in the city knew.He lived, it seemed..

© James Whitcomb Riley

The Ripest Peach

The ripest peach is highest on the tree --And so her love, beyond the reach of me,Is dearest in my sight. Sweet breezes, bowHer heart down to me..

© James Whitcomb Riley

When Bessie Died

If from your own the dimpled hands had slipped,And ne'er would nestle in your palm again;If the white feet into the grave had tripped--'When Bessie..

© James Whitcomb Riley

Mylo Jones's Wife

'Mylo Jones's wife' was allI heerd, mighty near, last Fall--Visitun relations downT'other side of Morgantown!Mylo Jones's wife she doesThis and that..

© James Whitcomb Riley

A Variation

I am tired of this!Nothing else but loving!Nothing else but kiss and kiss,Coo, and turtle-doving!Can't you change the order some?Hate me just a..

© James Whitcomb Riley

A Wrangdillion

Dexery-tethery! down in the dike,Under the ooze and the slime,Nestles the wraith of a reticent Gryke,Blubbering bubbles of rhyme:Though the reeds..

© James Whitcomb Riley

Billy's Alphabetical Animal Show

A was an elegant ApeWho tied up his ears with red tape,And wore a long veilHalf revealing his tailWhich was trimmed with jet bugles and crape.B was a..

© James Whitcomb Riley

Friday Afternoon

To William Morris Pierson[1868-1870]Of the wealth of facts and fanciesThat our memories may recall,The old school-day romancesAre the dearest, after..

© James Whitcomb Riley

When Old Jack Died

I.When old Jack died, we staid from school (they said,At home, we needn't go that day), and noneOf us ate any breakfast--only one,And that was..

© James Whitcomb Riley

Doc Sifers

Of all the doctors I could cite you to in this-'ere townDoc Sifers is my favorite, jes' take him up and down!Count in the Bethel Neighberhood, and..

© James Whitcomb Riley

Dot Leedle Boy

Ot's a leedle Gristmas storyDot I told der leedle folks--Und I vant you stop dot laughin'Und grackin' funny jokes!--So help me Peter-Moses!Ot's no..

© James Whitcomb Riley

Maymie's Story Of Red Riding Hood

W'y, one time wuz a little-weenty dirl,An' she wuz named Red Riding Hood, 'cause her--Her _Ma_ she maked a little red cloak fer her'At turnt up over..

© James Whitcomb Riley

Laughter Holding Both His Sides

Ay, thou varlet! Laugh away!All the world's a holiday!Laugh away, and roar and shoutTill thy hoarse tongue lolleth out!Bloat thy cheeks, and bulge..

© James Whitcomb Riley

Kneeling With Herrick

Dear Lord, to Thee my knee is bent.--Give me content--Full-pleasured with what comes to me,What e'er it be:An humble roof--a frugal board,And simple..

© James Whitcomb Riley

In The Evening

IIn the evening of our days,When the first far stars aboveGlimmer dimmer, through the haze,Than the dewy eyes of love,Shall we mournfully revertTo..

© James Whitcomb Riley

Climatic Sorcery

When frost's all on our winder, an' the snow'sAll out-o'-doors, our 'Old-Kriss'-milkman goesA-drivin' round, ist purt'-nigh froze to death,With his..

© James Whitcomb Riley

Heat-Lightning

There was a curious quiet for a spaceDirectly following: and in the faceOf one rapt listener pulsed the flush and glowOf the heat-lightning that pent..

© James Whitcomb Riley

Only A Dream

Only a dream!Her head is bentOver the keys of the instrument,While her trembling fingers go astrayIn the foolish tune she tries to play.He smiles in..

© James Whitcomb Riley

Noey Bixler

Another hero of those youthful yearsReturns, as Noey Bixler's name appears.And Noey--if in any special way--Was notably good-natured.--Work or playHe..

© James Whitcomb Riley

North And South

Of the North I wove a dream,All bespangled with the gleamOf the glancing wings of swallowsDipping ripples in a stream,That, like a tide of wine,Wound..

© James Whitcomb Riley

John Brown

Writ in between the lines of his life-deedWe trace the sacred service of a heartAnswering the Divine command, in every partBearing on human weal: His..

© James Whitcomb Riley

Lines For An Album

I would not trace the hackneyed phraseOf shallow words and empty praise,And prate of 'peace' till one might thinkMy foolish pen was drunk with..

© James Whitcomb Riley

An Old Friend

Hey, Old Midsummer! are you here again,With all your harvest-store of olden joys,--Vast overhanging meadow-lands of rain,And drowsy dawns, and noons..

© James Whitcomb Riley

A Prospective Visit

While _any_ day was notable and dearThat gave the children Noey, history hereRecords his advent emphasized indeedWith sharp italics, as he came to..

© James Whitcomb Riley

Old Fashioned Roses

They ain't no style about 'em,And they're sorto' pale and faded,Yit the doorway here, without 'em,Would be lonesomer, and shadedWith a good 'eal..

© James Whitcomb Riley