Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, BILLY GOODIN', by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BILLY GOODIN', by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Look so neat an' sweet in all yer
Last Line: A-eatin'! An' a-eatin'! An' a-eatin'!
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Subject(s): Children; Food & Eating; Childhood


A big piece o' pie, and a big piece o' puddin' --
I laid it all by fer little Billy Goodin'!
-- BOY POET.

LOOK so neat an' sweet in all yer frills an' fancy pleatin'!
Better shet yer kitchen, though, afore you go to Meetin'! --
Better hide yer mince-meat an' stewed fruit an' plums!
Better hide yer pound-cake an' bresh away the crumbs!
Better hide yer cubbord-key when
Billy Goodin' comes,
A-eatin'! an' a-eatin'! an' a-eatin'!

Sight o' Sund'y-doin's done 'at ain't done in Meetin'!
Sun acrost yer garden-patch a-pourin' an' a-beatin';
Meller apples drappin' in the weeds an' roun' the groun' --
Clingstones an' sugar-pears a-ist a-plunkin' down! --
Better kind o' comb the grass 'fore
Billy comes aroun',
A-eatin'! an' a-eatin'! an' a-eatin'!

Billy Goodin' ain't a-go' to go to any Meetin'!
We 'ull watch an' ketch an' give the little sneak a beatin'! --
Better hint we want'o stay 'n' snoop yer grapes an' plums!
Better eat 'em all yerse'f an' suck yer stingy thumbs! --
Won't be nothin' anyhow when Billy Goodin' comes! --
A-eatin'! an' a-eatin'! an' a-eatin'!





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