Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TOMMY SMITH by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: DIMPLE-CHEEKED AND ROSY-LIPPED
Last Line: LITTLE TOMMY SMITH.
Subject(s): CHILDREN; LOVE; TEARS; CHILDHOOD;

DIMPLE-CHEEKED and rosy-lipped,
With his cap-rim backward tipped,
Still in fancy I can see
Little Tommy smile on me --
Little Tommy Smith.

Little unsung Tommy Smith --
Scarce a name to rhyme it with;
Yet most tenderly to me
Something sings unceasingly --
Little Tommy Smith.

On the verge of some far land
Still forever does he stand,
With his cap-rim rakishly
Tilted; so he smiles on me --
Little Tommy Smith.

Elder-blooms contrast the grace
Of the rover's radiant face --
Whistling back, in mimicry,
"Old -- Bob -- White!" all liquidly --
Little Tommy Smith.

O my jaunty statuette
Of first love, I see you yet,
Though you smile so mistily,
It is but through tears I see,
Little Tommy Smith.

But, with crown tipped back behind,
And the glad hand of the wind
Smoothing back your hair, I see
Heaven's best angel smile on me, --
Little Tommy Smith.



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