Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A FEEL IN THE CHRISTMAS-AIR, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A FEEL IN THE CHRISTMAS-AIR, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: They's a kind o' feel in the air, to me
Last Line: The sad-sweet feel in the air.
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Subject(s): Air; Children; Christmas; Childhood; Nativity, The


THEY'S a kind o' feel 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 goneness somers I can't quite state --
A kind o' feel in the air!

They's a feel in the Chris'mas-air goes right
To the spot where a man lives at! --
It gives a feller a' appetite --
They ain't no doubt about that! --
And yit they's somepin' -- 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 feel, 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 ache
That I can't lo-cate no-where; --
But it comes with Chris'mas, and no mistake! --
A kind o' feel in the air.

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





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