Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A REAL BOY, by WILBUR DICK NESBIT



Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A REAL BOY, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: There's a joy that is a joy
Last Line: In a boy that is a boy!
Subject(s): Boys; Children; Games; Happiness; Play; Childhood; Recreation; Pastimes; Amusements; Joy; Delight


THERE'S a joy that is a joy
In a boy that is a boy —
Just a romping, reckless tyke
That the whole round world must like;
Freckled, awkward, lank and slim,
Hat that's minus band and brim,
With a trailing dog, or pup,
That betimes will trip him up.

In the morning out and gone
At the bugles of the dawn,
Finding wondrous games to play
In each nook along the way,
Wading brooks and climbing trees,
Pestering the honeybees
Till they sting him in despair —
But what does a real boy care?

In at noon to bolt his lunch,
Then a run to join the "bunch";
Shouts and yells and battle-call
Over strife with bat and ball,
Or a make-believe affray
With the pirates in his play;
Blisters, stone-bruises on his heel,
Scratches that his baths reveal.

Crooning in a sing-song twang,
Horrifying by his slang,
Giving every one the shakes
By his chumminess with snakes,
Naming with a careless shrug
Every beetle, bird, and bug,
Ruminant upon the grass
Watching all the clouds that pass.

Coming home at fall of night,
Grimed and marred from play and fight,
Braggadocio, weary — yes,
With a wondrous weariness.
Dreaming on with smiles and sighs
After sleep has closed his eyes —
There's a joy that is a joy
In a boy that is a boy!





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