Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE LAND OF THUS-AND-SO, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: How would willie like to go Last Line: "to the land of thus-and-so!" Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): Fantasy; Magic | ||||||||
"How would Willie like to go To the Land of Thus-and-So? Everything is proper there -- All the children comb their hair Smoother than the fur of cats, Or the nap of high silk hats; Every face is clean and white As a lily washed in light; Never vaguest soil or speck Found on forehead, throat or neck; Every little crimpled ear, In and out, as pure and clear As the cherry-blossom's blow In the Land of Thus-and-So. "Little boys that never fall Down the stair, or cry at all -- Doing nothing to repent, Watchful and obedient; Never hungry, nor in haste -- Tidy shoe-strings always laced; Never button rudely torn From its fellows all unworn; Knickerbockers always new -- Ribbon, tie, and collar, too; Little watches, worn like men, Always promptly half-past ten -- Just precisely right, you know, For the Land of Thus-and-So! "And the little babies there Give no one the slightest care -- Nurse has not a thing to do But be happy and sigh 'Boo!' While Mamma just nods, and knows Nothing but to doze and doze: Never litter round the grate; Never lunch or dinner late; Never any household din Peals without or rings within -- Baby coos nor laughing calls On the stairs or through the halls -- Just Great Hushes to and fro Pace the Land of Thus-and-so! "Oh! the Land of Thus-and-So! Isn't it delightful, though?" "Yes," lisped Willie, answering me Somewhat slow and doubtfully -- "Must be awful nice, but I Ruther wait till by-andby 'Fore I go there -- maybe when I be dead I'll go there then. -- But" -- the troubled little face Closer pressed in my embrace -- "Le's don't never ever go To the Land of Thus-and-So!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LA BELLE DAME SANS MERCI by JOHN KEATS SORCERY by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH FIRMILIAN; A TRAGEDY by WILLIAM EDMONSTOUNE AYTOUN A LAY OF ST. DUNSTAN by RICHARD HARRIS BARHAM THE LORD OF THOULOUSE; A LEGEND OF LANGUEDOC by RICHARD HARRIS BARHAM SHRODON FEAR: THE VU'ST PEART by WILLIAM BARNES THE ROMANCE OF THE LILY by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES THE SECOND BROTHER; AN UNFINISHED DRAMA by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES A BOY'S MOTHER by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY |
|