Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

RAIN by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: IT HAIN'T NO USE TO GRUMBLE AND COMPLANE
Last Line: W'Y, RAIN'S MY CHOICE.
Subject(s): FARM LIFE; GOD; RAIN; WEATHER; AGRICULTURE; FARMERS;
IT hain't no use to grumble and complane;
It's jest as cheap and easy to rejoice. --
When God sorts out the weather and sends rain,
W'y, rain's my choice.

Men ginerly, to all intents --
Although they're apt to grumble some --
Puts most theyr trust in Providence,
And takes things as they come --
That is, the commonality
Of men that's lived as long as me
Has watched the world enugh to learn
They're not the boss of this concern.

With @3some@1, of course, it's different --
I've saw @3young@1 men that knowed it all,
And didn't like the way things went
On this terrestchul ball; --
But all the same, the rain, some way,
Rained jest as hard on picnic day;
Er, when they railly @3wanted@1 it,
It maybe wouldn't rain a bit!

In this existunce, dry and wet
Will overtake the best of men --
Some little skift o' clouds'll shet
The sun off now and then. --
And mayby, whilse you're wundern who
You've fool-like lent your umbrell to,
And @3want@1 it -- out'll pop the sun,
And you'll be glad you hain't got none!

It aggervates the farmers, too --
They's too much wet, er too much sun,
Er work, er waitin' round to do
Before the plowin' 's done:
And mayby, like as not, the wheat,
Jest as it's lookin' hard to beat,
Will ketch the storm -- and jest about
The time the corn's a-jintin' out.

These-here @3cy-clones@1 a-foolin' round --
And back'ard crops! -- and wind and rain! --
And yit the corn that's wallerd down
May elbow up again! --
They hain't no sense, as I can see,
Fer mortuls, sich as us, to be
A-faultin' Natchur's wise intents,
And lockin' horns with Providence!

It hain't no use to grumble and complane;
It's jest as cheap and easy to rejoice. --
When God sorts out the weather and sends rain,
W'y, rain's my choice.



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