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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


CHRISTINE'S SONG by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: UP IN TENTOLEENA LAND
Last Line: OUT OF TENTOLEENA LAND!
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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