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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


DAYTIME NAPS by BURGES JOHNSON

First Line: MY MOTHER THINKS THAT LITTLE CHAPS
Last Line: BUT THANKS ME JUST FOR TRYIN' TO.)
Subject(s): CHILDREN; INSOMNIA; SLEEP; CHILDHOOD; SLEEPLESSNESS;

My mother thinks that little chaps
Who play a lot need daytime naps;
Though I've explained, with all my might,
That I can't sleep except at night.

But sometimes, when I've played a lot,
I'd jus' as liv go in as not;
It gives her quite a nice surprise
When I lie down and shut my eyes.

I couldn't get to sleep, I know;
But for a little while or so
I get to seeing on the wall
Queer pictures that aren't there at all.

One time a camel stuck his head
Right close up to me on the bed,
And animals I'd seen that day
Up at the Zoo, they came to play.

And once I thought of curious things
That I could do if I had wings.
But all the nicest parts of it
I can't remember now a bit!

I think so hard of things I'd do,
I feel all stretchy when I'm through,
And then I look and find it's been
More'n a nour since I came in.

It's nice to lie and think, perhaps;
But just the same I can't take naps!
(And mother says she sees it's true,
But thanks me just for tryin' to.)



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