Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, CHRISTINE'S SONG, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

CHRISTINE'S SONG, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Up in tentoleena land
Last Line: Out of tentoleena land!
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Subject(s): Fairies; Fantasy; Flowers; Kisses; Elves


Up in Tentoleena Land --
Tentoleena! Tentoleena!
All the Dollies, hand in hand,
Mina, Nainie, and Serena,
Dance the Fairy fancy dances,
With glad songs and starry glances,
Lisping roundelays; and, after,
Bird-like interludes of laughter
Strewn and scattered o'er the lawn
Their gilt sandals twinkle on
Through light mists of silver sand --
Up in Tentoleena Land.

Up in Tentoleena Land --
Tentoleena! Tentoleena!
Blares the eery Elfin band --
Trumpet, harp and concertina --
Larkspur bugle -- honeysuckle
Cornet, with a quickstep chuckle
In its golden throat; and, maybe,
Lilies-of-the-valley they be
Baby-silver-bells that chime
Musically all the time,
Tossed about from hand to hand --
Up in Tentoleena Land.

Up in Tentoleena Land --
Tentoleena! Tentoleena!
Dollies dark, and blond and bland --
Sweet as musk-rose or verbena --
Sweet as moon-blown daffodillies,
Or wave-jostled water-lilies
Yearning to'rd the rose-mouths, ready
Leaning o'er the river's eddy, --
Dance, and glancing fling to you,
Through these lines you listen to,
Kisses blown from lip and hand
Out of Tentoleena Land!





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