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").

My Jolly Friend's Secret

Ah, friend of mine, how goes it,Since you've taken you a mate?--Your smile, though, plainly shows itIs a very happy state!Dan Cupid's necromancy!You..

© James Whitcomb Riley

My Friend

'He is my friend,' I said,--'Be patient!' OverheadThe skies were drear and dim;And lo! the thought of himSmited on my heart--and thenThe sun shone..

© James Whitcomb Riley

A Southern Singer

Written In Madison Caweln's 'Lyrics and Idyls.'Herein are blown from out the SouthSongs blithe as those of Pan's pursed mouth--As sweet in voice as..

© James Whitcomb Riley

It's_Got_To Be

'When it's _got_ to be,'--like! always say,As I notice the years whiz past,And know each day is a yesterday,When we size it up, at last,--Same as I..

© James Whitcomb Riley

Iry And Billy Jo

Iry an' Billy an' Jo!--Iry an' Billy's _the boys_,An' _Jo's_ their _dog_, you know,--Their pictures took all in a row.Bet they kin kick up a..

© James Whitcomb Riley

My Dancin'-Days Is Over

What is it in old fiddle-chunes 'at makes me ketch my breathAnd ripples up my backbone tel I'm tickled most to death?--Kindo' like that sweet-sick..

© James Whitcomb Riley

Out Of The Hitherwhere

Out of the hitherwhere into the Yon--The land that the Lord's love rests upon;Where one may rely on the friends he meets,And the smiles that greet..

© James Whitcomb Riley

Hik-Tee-Dik!

THE WAR-CRY OF BILLY AND BUDDYWhen two little boys--renowned but for noise--Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy!--May hurt a whole school, and the head it..

© James Whitcomb Riley

A Voice From The Farm

It is my dream to have you here with me,Out of the heated city's dust and din--Here where the colts have room to gambol in,And kine to graze, in..

© James Whitcomb Riley

How John Quit The Farm

Nobody on the old farm here but Mother, me and John,Except, of course, the extry he'p when harvest-time come on--And then, I want to say to you, we..

© James Whitcomb Riley

Illileo

Illileo, the moonlight seemed lost across the vales--The stars but strewed the azure as an armor's scattered scales;The airs of night were quiet as..

© James Whitcomb Riley

His Vigil

Close the book and dim the light,I shall read no more to-night.No--I am not sleepy, dear--Do not go: sit by me hereIn the darkness and the..

© James Whitcomb Riley

An Empty Nest

I find an old deserted nest,Half-hidden in the underbrush:A withered leaf, in phantom jest,Has nestled in it like a thrushWith weary, palpitating..

© James Whitcomb Riley

Igo And Ago

We're The Twins from Aunt Marinn's,Igo and Ago.When Dad comes, the show begins!--Iram, coram, dago.Dad he says he named us twoIgo and AgoFor a poem..

© James Whitcomb Riley

Wortermelon Time

Old wortermelon time is a-comin' round again,And they ain't no man a-livin' any tickleder'n me,Fer the way I hanker after wortermelons is a..

© James Whitcomb Riley

With Hale Affection And Abiding Faith These Rhymes And Pictures Are Inscribed To The Children Everywhere

_He owns the bird-songs of the hills--The laughter of the April rills;And his are all the diamonds setIn Morning's dewy coronet,--And his the Dusk's..

© James Whitcomb Riley

When Lide Married _Him_

When Lide married _him_--w'y, she had to jes dee-fyThe whole poppilation!--But she never bat' an eye!Her parents begged, and _threatened_--she must..

© James Whitcomb Riley

A Wraith Of Summertime

In its color, shade and shine,'T was a summer warm as wine,With an effervescent flavoring of flowered bough and vine,And a fragrance and a tasteOf..

© James Whitcomb Riley

A Tale Of The Airly Days

Oh! tell me a tale of the airly days--Of the times as they ust to be;'Piller of Fi-er' and 'Shakespeare's Plays'Is a' most too deep fer me!I want..

© James Whitcomb Riley

At Carnoy

Down in the hollow there’s the whole BrigadeCamped in four groups: through twilight falling slowI hear a sound of mouth-organs, ill-played,And murmur..

© Siegfried Sassoon

Conscripts

‘Fall in, that awkward squad, and strike no moreAttractive attitudes! Dress by the right!The luminous rich colours that you woreHave changed to..

© Siegfried Sassoon

An Old French Poet

When in your sober mood my body have ye laidIn sight and sound of things beloved, woodland and stream,And the green turf has hidden the poor bones ye..

© Siegfried Sassoon

Ancestors

Behold these jewelled, merchant Ancestors,Foregathered in some chancellery of death;Calm, provident, discreet, they stroke their beardsAnd move their..

© Siegfried Sassoon

The Kiss

To these I turn, in these I trust;Brother Lead and Sister Steel.To his blind power I make appeal;I guard her beauty clean from rust.He spins and..

© Siegfried Sassoon

Before The Battle

Music of whispering treesHushed by a broad-winged breezeWhere shaken water gleams;And evening radiance fallingWith reedy bird-notes calling.O bear me..

© Siegfried Sassoon