Poem: “James Whitcomb Riley” by Paul Laurence Dunbar

Download PDF

American Literature – Children Books – American Poetry – Paul Laurence Dunbar – Poems by Paul Laurence Dunbar
< < < Worn Out
A Madrigal > > >

James Whitcomb Riley

(From a Westerner’s Point of View.)

No matter what you call it,
Whether genius, or art,
He sings the simple songs that come
The closest to your heart.
Fur trim an’ skillful phrases,
I do not keer a jot;
‘Tain’t the words alone, but feelin’s,
That tech the tender spot.
An’ that’s jest why I love him,—
Why, he’s got sech human feelin’,
An’ in ev’ry song he gives us,
You kin see it creepin’, stealin’,
Through the core the tears go tricklin’,
But the edge is bright an’ smiley;
I never saw a poet
Like that poet Whitcomb Riley.

His heart keeps beatin’ time with our’n
In measures fast or slow;
He tells us jest the same ol’ things
Our souls have learned to know.
He paints our joys an’ sorrers
In a way so stric’ly true,
That a body can’t help knowin’
That he has felt them too.
If there’s a lesson to be taught,
He never fears to teach it,
An’ he puts the food so good an’ low
That the humblest one kin reach it.
Now in our time, when poets rhyme
For money, fun, or fashion,
‘Tis good to hear one voice so clear
That thrills with honest passion.
So let the others build their songs,
An’ strive to polish highly,—
There’s none of them kin tech the heart
Like our own Whitcomb Riley.

< < < Worn Out
A Madrigal > > >

American Literature – Children Books – American Poetry – Paul Laurence Dunbar – Poems by Paul Laurence Dunbar

If you liked this article, subscribe , put likes, write comments!

Share on social networks

Visit us on Facebook or Twitter

Check out Our Latest Posts

James Whitcomb Riley

Leave a comment Cancel reply