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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


INDIANA by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: OUR LAND - OUR HOME! THE COMMON
Last Line: "THE LAND ELYSIAN, MARVELING ""THIS IS OURS!"
Subject(s): FREEDOM; INDIANA; PEACE; LIBERTY;

OUR Land -- our Home! -- the common home indeed
Of soil-born children and adopted ones --
The stately daughters and the stalwart sons
Of Industry: -- All greeting and godspeed!
O home to proudly live for, and, if need
Be, proudly die for, with the roar of guns
Blent with our latest prayer. -- So died men once. . . .
Lo, Peace! . . . As we look on the land THEY freed --
Its harvest all in ocean-overflow
Poured round autumnal coasts in billowy gold --
Its corn and wine and balmed fruits and flow'rs, --
We know the exaltation that they know
Who now, steadfast inheritors, behold
The Land Elysian, marveling "This is ours!"



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