Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE LITTLE MOCK-MAN, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE LITTLE MOCK-MAN, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: The little mock-man on the
Last Line: An' ever'body ever'wheres!
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Subject(s): Animals; Horses; Stairs


THE Little Mock-man on the Stairs --
He mocks the lady's horse 'at rares
At bi-sickles an' things, --
He mocks the mens 'at rides 'em, too;
An' mocks the Movers, drivin' through,
An' hollers, "Here's the way you do
With them-air hitchin'-strings!"
"Ho! ho!" he'll say,
Ole Settlers' Day,
When they're all jogglin' by, --
"You look like this,"
He'll say, an' twis'
His mouth an' squint his eye
An' 'tend-like he wuz beat the bass
Drum at both ends -- an' toots an' blares
Ole dinner-horn an' puffs his face --
The Little Mock-man on the Stairs!

The Little Mock-man on the Stairs
Mocks all the peoples all he cares
'At passes up an' down!
He mocks the chickens round the door,
An' mocks the girl 'at scrubs the floor,
An' mocks the rich, an' mocks the pore,
An' ever'thing in town!
"Ho! ho!" says he,
To you er me;
An' ef we turns an' looks,
He's all cross-eyed
An' mouth all wide
Like Giunts is, in books. --
"Ho! ho!" he yells, "look here at me,"
An' rolls his fat eyes roun' an' glares, --
"You look like this!" he says, says he --
The Little Mock-man on the Stairs!

The Little Mock --
The Little Mock --
The Little Mock-man on the Stairs,
He mocks the music-box an' clock,
An' roller-sofy an' the chairs;
He mocks his Pa, an' specs he wears;
He mocks the man 'at picks the pears
An' plums an' peaches on the shares;
He mocks the monkeys an' the bears
On picture-bills, an' rips an' tears
'Em down, -- an' mocks ist all he cares,
An' EVER'body EVER'wheres!





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