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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


A FEEL IN THE CHRISTMAS-AIR by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: THEY'S A KIND O' FEEL IN THE AIR, TO ME
Last Line: THE SAD-SWEET FEEL IN THE AIR.
Subject(s): AIR; CHILDREN; CHRISTMAS; CHILDHOOD; NATIVITY, THE;

THEY'S a kind o' @3feel@1 in the air, to me,
When the Chris'mas-times sets in
That's about as much of a mystery
As ever I've run ag'in'! --
Fer instunce, now, whilse I gain in weight
And gineral health, I swear
They's a @3goneness@1 somers I can't quite state --
A kind o' @3feel@1 in the air!

They's a feel in the Chris'mas-air goes right
To the spot where a man @3lives@1 at! --
It gives a feller a' appetite --
They ain't no doubt about @3that!@1 --
And yit they's @3somepin'@1 -- I don't know what --
That follers me, here and there,
And ha'nts and worries and spares me not --
A kind o' feel in the air!

They's a @3feel,@1 as I say, in the air that's jest
As blame-don sad as sweet! --
In the same ra-sho as I feel the best
And am spryest on my feet,
They's allus a kind o' sort of a @3ache@1
That I can't lo-cate no-where; --
But it comes with @3Chris'mas,@1 and no mistake! --
A kind o' feel in the air.

Is it the racket the childern raise? --
W'y, @3no!@1 -- God bless 'em! -- @3no!@1 --
Is it the eyes and the cheeks ablaze --
Like my @3own@1 wuz, long ago? --
Is it the bleat o' the whistle and beat
O' the little toy-drum and blare
O' the horn? -- @3No! no!@1 -- it is jest the sweet --
The sad-sweet feel in the air.



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