Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ELMER BROWN, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ELMER BROWN, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Awf'lest boy in this-here town
Last Line: "here's the way you look!"
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Subject(s): Boys; Family Life; Towns; Relatives


AWF'LEST boy in this-here town
Er anywheres is Elmer Brown!
He'll mock you -- yes, an' strangers, too,
An' make a face an' yell at you, --
"Here's the way you look!"

Yes, an' wunst in School one day,
An' Teacher's lookin' wite that way,
He helt his slate, an' hide his head,
An' maked a face at her, an' said, --
"Here's the way you look!"

An'-sir! when Rosie Wheeler smile
One morning at him 'crosst the aisle,
He twist his face all up, an' black
His nose wiv ink, an' whisper back, --
"Here's the way you look!"

Wunst when his Aunt's all dressed to call,
An' kiss him good-by in the hall,
An' latch the gate an' start away,
He holler out to her an' say, --
"Here's the way you look!"

An' when his Pa he read out loud
The speech he maked, an' feel so proud
It's in the paper -- Elmer's Ma
She ketched him -- wite behind his Pa, --
"Here's the way you look!"
Nen when his Ma she slip an' take
Him in the other room an' shake
Him good! w'y, he don't care -- no-sir! --
He ist look up an' laugh at her, --
"Here's the way you look!"





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