Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A CHRISTMAS MEMORY (1), by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Pa he bringed me here to stay Last Line: I ist only want my ma! Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): Christmas; Memory; Santa Claus; Nativity, The; Nicholas, Saint | ||||||||
PA he bringed me here to stay 'Til my Ma she's well. -- An' nen He's go' hitch up, Chris'mus-day, An' come take me back again Wher' my Ma's at! Won't I be Tickled when he comes fer me! My Ma an' my A'nty they 'Uz each-uvver's sisters. Pa -- A'nty telled me, th' other day, -- He comed here an' married Ma. . . . A'nty said nen, "Go run play, I must work now!" . . . An' I saw, When she turn' her face away, She 'uz cryin'. -- An' nen I 'Tend-like I "run play" -- an' cry. This-here house o' A'nty's wher' They 'uz borned -- my Ma an' her! -- An' her Ma 'uz my Ma's Ma, An' her Pa 'uz my Ma's Pa -- Ain't that funny? -- An' they're dead: An' this-here's "th' ole Homestead." -- An' my A'nty said, an' cried, It's mine, too, ef my Ma died -- Don't know what she mean -- 'cause my Ma she's nuvver go' to die! When Pa bringed me here 't'uz night -- 'Way dark night! An' A'nty spread Me a piece -- an' light the light An' say I must go to bed. -- I cry not to -- but Pa said, "Be good boy now, like you telled Mommy 'at you're go' to be!" An', when he 'uz kissin' me My good night, his cheek's all wet An' taste salty. -- An' he held Wite close to me an' rocked some An' laughed-like -- 'til A'nty come Git me while he's rockin' yet. A'nty he'p me, 'til I be Purt' nigh strip-pud -- nen hug me In bofe arms an' lif' me 'way Up in her high bed -- an' pray Wiv me, -- 'bout my Ma -- an' Pa -- An' ole Santy Claus -- an' Sleigh -- An' Reindeers an' little Drum -- Yes, an' Picture-books, "Tom Thumb," An' "Three Bears," an' ole "Fee Faw" -- Yes, an' "Tweedle-Dee" an' "Dum," An' "White Knight" an' "Squidjicum," An' most things you ever saw! -- An' when A'nty kissed me, she 'Uz all cryin' over me! Don't want Santy Claus -- ner things Any kind he ever brings! -- Don't want A'nty! -- Don't want Pa! -- I ist only want my Ma! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SAINT NICHOLAS by MARIANNE MOORE PANCAKES WITH SANTA by NAOMI SHIHAB NYE WITH BEST WISHES by DOROTHY PARKER A VISIT FROM ST. NICHOLAS by CLEMENT CLARKE MOORE CHRISTMAS EVE by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT by WILLIAM DEAN HOWELLS CHRISTMAS MORNING by BURGES JOHNSON A BOY'S MOTHER by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY |
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