Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, MY RUTHERS, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MY RUTHERS, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: I tell you what I'd ruther do
Last Line: Ef I only had my ruthers.
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Subject(s): Graves; Politics & Government; Tombs; Tombstones


[Writ durin' State Fair at Indanoplis, whilse visitin' a Soninlaw then
residin' thare, who has sence got back to the country whare he says a man that's
raised there ort to a-stayed in the first place.]

I TELL you what I'd ruther do --
Ef I only had my ruthers, --
I'd ruther work when I wanted to
Than be bossed round by others; --
I'd ruther kindo' git the swing
O' what was needed, first, I jing!
Afore I swet at anything! --
Ef I only had my ruthers; --
In fact I'd aim to be the same
With all men as my brothers;
And they'd all be the same with me --
Ef I only had my ruthers.

I wouldn't likely know it all --
Ef I only had my ruthers; --
I'd know some sense, and some baseball --
Some old jokes, and -- some others:
I'd know some politics, and 'low
Some tarif-speeches same as now,
Then go hear Nye on "Branes and How
To Detect Theyr Presence." T'others,
That stayed away, I'd let 'em stay --
All my dissentin' brothers
Could chuse as shore a kill er cuore,
Ef I only had my ruthers.

The pore 'ud git theyr dues some times --
Ef I only had my ruthers, --
And be paid dollars 'stid o' dimes,
Fer children, wives and mothers:
Theyr boy that slaves; theyr girl that sews --
Fer others -- not herself, God knows! --
The grave's her only change of clothes!
. . . Ef I only had my ruthers,
They'd all have "stuff" and time enugh
To answer one-another's
Appealin' prayer fer "lovin' care" --
Ef I only had my ruthers.

They'd be few folks 'ud ast fer trust,
Ef I only had my ruthers,
And blame few business men to bu'st
Theyrselves, er harts of others:
Big Guns that come here durin' Fair-
Week could put up jest anywhare,
And find a full-and-plenty thare,
Ef I only had my ruthers:
The rich and great 'ud 'sociate
With all theyr lowly brothers,
Feelin' we done the honorun --
Ef I only had my ruthers.






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