There Was a Cherry-Tree - Read by RWH

There Was a Cherry-Tree - Read by RWH

What emotional and inspiring tales of recovery are out there? In this short, gentle reading of James Whitcomb Riley’s poem "There Was a Cherry-Tree", you’ll step into a softer corner of memory, childhood, and simple joy. Read aloud by RWH for LibriVox, the piece paints a series of vivid images: "There was a cherry tree.

Its bloomy snows, cool even now the fervred sight that knows no more its airy visions of pure joy as when you were a boy." The repetition of that opening line becomes a kind of heartbeat, carrying you back to first summers, sticky fingers, and the way the past can feel both far away and right here. The episode sits firmly in classic poetry territory, with Riley’s language bridging 19th‑century lyricism and the timeless feelings of being a child.

You’ll hear of the "blue jay" who seemed an impossibly bright blue against the blossom, of the "pure white snows" of the tree’s flowers turning into "crimson fruitage", and of a boy who finds that the sweetness is almost too much to bear. This reading is especially suited to anyone who enjoys calm, reflective moments—whether that’s as a soothing background while unwinding, or as a brief escape into nature and nostalgia.

The style is straightforward and respectful of the original text, letting Riley’s words carry the mood without added commentary or analysis. If you’re looking for a few quiet minutes that remind you of innocence, changing seasons, and how small memories can linger for a lifetime, this gentle classic is an easy one to press play on—what childhood scene does it bring up for you?