Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ELMER BROWN by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: AWF'LEST BOY IN THIS-HERE TOWN
Last Line: "HERE'S THE WAY YOU LOOK!"
Subject(s): BOYS; FAMILY LIFE; TOWNS; RELATIVES;

AWF'LEST boy in this-here town
Er anywheres is Elmer Brown!
He'll mock you -- yes, an' strangers, too,
An' make a face an' yell at you, --
"@3Here's@1 the way @3you@1 look!"

Yes, an' wunst in School one day,
An' Teacher's lookin' wite that way,
He helt his slate, an' hide his head,
An' maked a face at @3her,@1 an' said, --
"@3Here's@1 the way @3you@1 look!"

An'-sir! when Rosie Wheeler smile
One morning at him 'crosst the aisle,
He twist his face all up, an' black
His nose wiv ink, an' whisper back, --
"@3Here's@1 the way @3you@1 look!"

Wunst when his Aunt's all dressed to call,
An' kiss him good-by in the hall,
An' latch the gate an' start away,
He holler out to her an' say, --
"@3Here's@1 the way @3you@1 look!"

An' when his Pa he read out loud
The speech he maked, an' feel so proud
It's in the paper -- Elmer's Ma
She ketched him -- wite behind his Pa, --
"@3Here's@1 the way @3you@1 look!"
Nen when his Ma she slip an' take
Him in the other room an' shake
Him good! w'y, he don't care -- no-@3sir!@1 --
He ist look up an' laugh at her, --
"@3Here's@1 the way @3you@1 look!"



Home: PoetryExplorer.net