Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, HOME-FOLKS, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

HOME-FOLKS, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Home-folks! - well, that-air
Last Line: But you invite him, and he'll come.
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Subject(s): Family Life; Home; Relatives


HOME-FOLKS! -- Well, that-air name, to me,
Sounds jis the same as poetry --
That is, ef poetry is jis
As sweet as I've hearn tell it is!

Home-Folks -- they're jis the same as kin --
All brung up, same as we have bin,
Without no over powerin' sense
Of their oncommon consequence!

They've bin to school, but not to git
The habit fastened on 'em yit
So as to ever interfere
With other work 'at's waitin' here:

Home-Folks has crops to plant and plow,
Er lives in town and keeps a cow;
But whether country-jakes er town-,
They know when eggs is up er down!

La! can't you spot 'em -- when you meet
'Em anywheres -- in field er street?
And can't you see their faces, bright
As circus-day, heave into sight?

And can't you hear their "Howdy!" clear
As a brook's chuckle to the ear,
And allus find their laughin' eyes
As fresh and clear as morning skies?

And can't you -- when they've gone away --
Jis feel 'em shakin' hands, all day?
And feel, too, you've bin higher raised
By sich a meetin'? -- God be praised?

Oh, Home-Folks! you're the best of all
'At ranges this terreschul ball, --
But, north er south, er east er west,
It's home where you're at your best. --

It's home -- it's home your faces shine,
In-nunder your own fig and vine --
Your fambly and your neighbers 'bout
Ye, and the latch-string hangin' out.

. . . . . . .

Home-Folks -- at home, -- I know o' one
Old feller now 'at hain't got none. --
Invite him -- he may hold back some --
But you invite him, and he'll come.





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