Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A BOY'S MOTHER, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A BOY'S MOTHER, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: My mother she's so good to me
Last Line: An' love him purt' nigh much as ma.
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Subject(s): Children; Love; Mothers; Punishment; Childhood


MY mother she's so good to me,
If I was good as I could be,
I couldn't be as good--no, sir!--
Can't any boy be good as her.

She loves me when I'm glad er sad;
She loves me when I'm good er bad;
An', what's a funniest thing, she says
She loves me when she punishes.

I don't like her to punish me.--
That don't hurt,--but it hurts to see
Her cryin'.--Nen I cry; an' nen
We both cry an' be good again.

She loves me when she cuts an' sews
My little cloak an' Sund'y clothes;
An' when my Pa comes home to tea,
She loves him most as much as me.

She laughs an' tells him all I said,
An' grabs me up an' pats my head;
An' I hug her, an' hug my Pa,
An' love him purt' nigh much as Ma.








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