Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, WHEN DE FOLKS IS GONE, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

WHEN DE FOLKS IS GONE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: What dat scratchin' at de kitchen do'?
Last Line: God bress de lo'd! Hit's de folks got back!
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Subject(s): Fiddles; Musical Instruments


WHAT dat scratchin' at de kitchen do'?
Done heah'n dat foh an hour er mo'!
Tell you, Mr. Niggah, das sho's you' bo'n,
Hit's mighty lonesome waitin' when de folks is gone!

Blame my trap! how de wind do blow!
An' dis is das de night foh de witches, sho'!
Dey's trouble gon' to waste when de old slut whine,
An' you heah de cat a-spittin' when de moon don't shine!

Chune my fiddle, an' de bridge go "bang!"
An' I lef' 'er right back whah she allus hang,
An' de tribble snap short an' de apern split
When dey no mortal man wah a-tetchin' hit!

Dah! Now, what? How de ole j'ice cracks!
'Spec' dis house, ef hit tell plain fac's,
'Ud talk about de ha'nts wid dey long tails on
What das'n't on'y come when de folks is gone!

What I tuk an' done ef a sho'-'nuff ghos'
Pop right up by de ole bed-pos'?
What dat shinin' fru de front do' crack? . . .
God bress de Lo'd! hit's de folks got back!





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