James Whitcomb.* Indiana.

 


Family told stories, plays

Homestyle poems, jokes.

Momma in particular.

Daddy politikkt.

And James listened

And laughed whenever

He could.

Repeated similar

To the neighbours, schoolhouse events

Church parlour.

With cider and biscuits

The women laid out.


WHEN THE FROST IS ON THE PUNKIN

COON DOG WESS

THE CIRCUS DAY PARADE

THE TRAIN MISSER

ON THE BANKS O’ DEER CRICK

UP AND DOWN OLD BRANDYWINE

DOC SIFERS

THE ALL-GOLDEN


Not hilarious 

But worth a dime or two

When he had a little booklet

Of mild comforting verses.

To offer

With colloquial and pleasing cadence.


Yassir you’d a know

His style of verse after a coupla readings

All in smile and chuckle mode.

Folks were.


*Riley











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