Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, CHUCK'S HOODOOS, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

CHUCK'S HOODOOS, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Chuck's allus had de hoodoos bad!
Last Line: "dey's ever go me inter!"
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Subject(s): Superstition


Chuck's allus had de Hoodoos bad! --
Do what he kin to lose 'em,
Dey track dat coon, by sun er moon,
Des like dey cain't uxcuse 'im!
An' more he gyaurd 'em off, more hard
Hit 'pear-like dat they press 'im --
De onliest luck dey 'low ole Chuck
Is dis enough to 'stress 'im!

He taken care -- no matter where
He's walkin' 'long de street an'
See any ladder leanin' there,
Er cross-eyed man he's meetin' --
Dat eye o' his ketch wher' dey is,
An', quick as "scat," Chuck's hittin'
De curb outside, an' watch wile-eyed
Fust lef'-han' place to spit in!

He' got toenails o' bats; an' snails
Shet hot in deir shell-houses
Wid sealin'-wax; an' little backs
O' turkles in his trouse's:
A moleskin-pu's'; an' possum's han' --
Des ever' charm an' wonder --
An' barber-chair o' shore hosshair --
An' hoss-shoe hangin' under!

"An' yit," says Chuck, "I got no luck: --
De Hoodoos still a-bafflin'
Dis po' ole saint what knows he ain't --
'Twix' shootin' craps an' rafflin'!
No overcoat -- ner underwear, --
Right on de aidge o' winter
I's up aginst de wust layout
Dey's ever go me inter!"





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