In response to a post which included A.A. Milne’s “Politeness” Andy replied, “I have occasionally written a poem for/about children.” My Least Favorite Color My favorite color is just like yours –A red or green or blue.And if you ask a hundred other kidsThey’ll answer that way, too. My least favorite color, though,is not a
This is something Gilbert says in Chapter Twelve of Miss Missy’s School. Gilbert is quite fond of saying, “As someone once said,” but in the story he never tells us who said what. That’s one of the purposes of The Companion Book to Miss Missy’s School— to fill in the gaps. I am working on
James Whitcomb Riley, The Book of Joyous Children (1902) Kindle, $0.00; Paperback, $6.99 Crappy old edition of The Book of Joyous Children. Bigfoodetc.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. I receive a small commission if you get to Amazon and buy something click through this site. Thanks!
“Lay away the story,—Though the theme is sweet,There’s a lack of something yet,Leaves it incomplete:—There’s a nameless yearning—Strangely undefined—For a story sweeter stillThan the written kind. Therefore read no longer—I’ve no heart to hearBut just something you make up,O my mother dear.—With your arms around me,Hold me, folded-eyed,—Only let your voice go on—I’ll be satisfied.”
O the days gone by! O the days gone by!The apples in the orchard, and the pathway through the rye;The chirrup of the robin, and the whistle of the quailAs he piped across the meadows sweet as any nightingale;When the bloom was on the clover, and the blue was in the sky,And my happy heart
The Book of Joyous Children, James Whitcomb Riley (1902) Kindle $0; Paperback $6.99; Hardcover $23.95 Amazon wants you to know that Bigfoodetc.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. I receive a small commission if you click and buy through this site. Once you click on a link you can buy anything and
Our pal, Andy, who has been enjoying the recent boy talk, commented on yesterday’s “What is a Boy?”. It took all day, but this post finally reminded me of a poem I wrote years ago for a friend … Tiny Giant I had a tiny body onceso often rapt with joy.It turned the wheels of tiny
Next to “The Girl I loved”– a book length poem– “How John Quit the Farm” is my very favorite James Whitcomb Riley poem. Enjoy! Riley Farm-Rhymes with Country Pictures (1905). Amazon tells me I have to disclose that I’m an Amazon Associate and I get a small (and thus far by small, I mean next
“I have jest about decidedIt ‘ud keep a town-boy hoppin’Fer to work all winter, choppin’Fer a’ old fireplace, like I did!Lawz! them old times wuz contrairy!-Blame’ backbone o’ winter, ‘peared-likeWOULDN’T break!-and I wuz skeered-likeClean on into FEB’UARY!Nothin’ ever made me madderThan fer Pap to stomp in, layin’In a’ extra forestick, say’in’,“Groun’-hog’s out and seed his
“When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder’s inthe shock,And you hear the kyouck and gobble of the struttin’turkey-cock,And the clackin’ of the guineys, and the cluckin’ of thehens,And the rooster’s hallylooyer as he tiptoes on the fence;O, it’s then’s the times a feller is a-feelin’ at his best,With the risin’ sun to
Tie the strings to my life, my Lord,Then I am ready to go!Just a look at the horses —Rapid! That will do! Put me in on the firmest side,So I shall never fall;For we must ride to the Judgment,And it’s partly down hill. But never I mind the bridges,And never I mind the sea;Held fast
“It hain’t no use to grumble and complane;It’s jest as cheap and easy to rejoice.-When God sorts out the weather and sends rain,W’y, rain’s my choice.Men ginerly, to all intents-Although they’re apt to grumble some-Puts most theyr trust in Providence,And takes things as they come-That is, the commonalityOf men that’s lived as long as meHas
Put up my lute!What of—my Music!Since the sole ear I cared to charm—Passive—as Granite—laps My Music—Sobbing—will suit—as well as psalm! Would but the “Memnon” of the Desert—Teach me the strainThat vanquished Him—When He—surrendered to the Sunrise—Maybe—that—would awaken—them! —Emily Dickinson (1830-1886; written 1861, published 1935) The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson Only $1.99 on Kindle!
Over the fence—Strawberries—grow—Over the fence—I could climb—if I tried, I know—Berries are nice! But—if I stained my Apron—God would certainly scold!Oh, dear,—I guess if He were a Boy—He’d—climb—if He could! —Emily Dickinson (1830-1886; written 1861, published 1945) The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson
“The orchard lands of Long Ago!O drowsy winds, awake, and blowThe snowy blossoms back to me,And all the buds that used to be!Blow back along the grassy waysOf truant feet, and lift the hazeOf happy summer from the treesThat trail their tresses in the seasOf grain that float and overflowThe orchard lands of Long Ago!Blow
She sweeps with many-colored Brooms–And leaves the Shreds behind–Oh, Housewife in the Evening West–Come back, and dust the pond! You dropped a Purple Ravelling in–You dropped an Amber thread–And now you’ve littered all the EastWith Duds of Emerald! And still she plies her spotted Brooms,And still the Aprons fly,Till Brooms fade softly into stars–And then
Safe in their Alabaster Chambers—Untouched by MorningAnd untouched by Noon—Sleep the meek members of the Resurrection—Rafter of satin,And Roof of stone. Light laughs the breezeIn her Castle above them—Babbles the Bee in a stolid Ear,Pipe the Sweet Birds in ignorant cadence—Ah, what sagacity perished here! —Emily Dickinson (1830-1886; 1959 version, published 1862) Safe in their Alabaster
“The old farm-home is Mother’s yet and mine,And filled it is with plenty and to spare,-But we are lonely here in life’s decline,Though fortune smiles around us everywhere:We look across the goldOf the harvests, as of old-The corn, the fragrant clover, and the hayBut most we turn our gaze,As with eyes of other days,To the
What is — “Paradise” —Who live there —Are they “Farmers” —Do they “hoe” —Do they know that this is “Amherst” —And that I — am coming — too — Do they wear “new shoes” — in “Eden” —Is it always pleasant — there —Won’t they scold us — when we’re homesick —Or tell God —
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