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James Whitcomb Riley - At Broad Ripple

Oh luxury! Beyond the heat 
And dust of town, with dangling feet 
Astride the rock below the dam, 
In the cool shadows where the calm 
Rests on the stream again, and all 
Is silent save the waterfall,-- 
I bait my hook and cast my line, 
And feel the best of life is mine.

No high ambition can I claim -- 
I angle not for lordly game 
Of trout, or bass, or wary bream -- 
A black perch reaches the extreme 
Of my desires; and "goggle-eyes" 
Are not a thing that I despise; 
A sunfish, or a "chub," or a "cat"-- 
A "silver-side"-- yea, even that!

In eloquent tranquility 
The waters lisp and talk to me. 
Sometimes, far out, the surface breaks, 
As some proud bass an instant shakes 
His glittering armor in the sun, 
And romping ripples, one by one, 
Come dallyiong across the space 
Where undulates my smiling face.

The river's story flowing by, 
Forever sweet to ear and eye, 
Forever tenderly begun -- 
Forever new and never done. 
Thus lulled and sheltered in a shade 
Where never feverish cares invade, 
I bait my hook and cast my line, 
And feel the best of life is mine. 

Added: on December 12th, 2005 at 10:20 AM | Viewed: 1098 times | Comments and analysis of At Broad Ripple by James Whitcomb Riley Comments (4)


At Broad Ripple - Comments and Information

Poet: James Whitcomb Riley
Poem: At Broad Ripple

Comment 4 of 4, added on April 27th, 2006 at 8:52 PM.

I too am a resident of Indianapolis and have been a long-time fan of James Whitcomb Riley. This poem was in my book, "The Complete Poetical Works of James Whitcomb Riley." But the first two words in the book are, "Ah, luxury!," instead of "Oh, luxury," which gives a slightly different feel to the poem. "Ah" is more reflective and relaxed. Ah, luxury! is later defined by the phrase,"And feel the best of life is mine." To him, true luxury is a quiet fishing hole in Broadripple, whether he catches a fish or not. As with all his poetry, you can almost feel the water on your feet and the sun on your back.

Jim Doyle from United States
Comment 3 of 4, added on February 5th, 2006 at 2:31 PM.

Riley wonderfully describes one of life's simple pleasures; one that is much harder to come by today, for most of us.

Lee Ellis from United States
Comment 2 of 4, added on December 12th, 2005 at 10:20 AM.

this poem told me about a dusty town and what he likes.

Steve Smolsky from United States

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