Climatic Sorcery

When frost's all on our winder, an' the snow's
All out-o'-doors, our "Old-Kriss"-milkman goes
A-drivin' round, ist purt'-nigh froze to death,
With his old white mustache froze full o' breath.

But when it's summer an' all warm ag'in,
He comes a-whistlin' an' a-drivin in
Our alley, 'thout no coat on, ner ain't cold,
Ner his mustache ain't white, ner he ain't old.

James Whitcomb Riley

James Whitcomb Riley was an American writer, poet, and best-selling author. He was known as the "Hoosier Poet" and the "Children's Poet" for his dialect works and children's poetry respectively. Over his career, Riley authored approximately 1,000 poems, including "Little Orphant Annie" and "The Raggedy Man". His influence extended into the 20th century, and his works continued to be celebrated for their nostalgic and rural themes.

James Whitcomb Riley

To My Good Master.

James Whitcomb Riley, Simple Poetry

The Train Misser

James Whitcomb Riley, Simple Poetry

Like His Mother Used To Make

James Whitcomb Riley, Simple Poetry

A Session With Uncle Sidney - III - Sings A "Winky-Tooden" Song

James Whitcomb Riley, Simple Poetry

English

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When The Frost Is On The Punkin

When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock,
And you hear the kyouck and gobble of the struttin' turkey-cock,
And the clackin' of the guineys, and the cluckin' of the hens,
And the rooster's hallylooyer as he tiptoes on the fence;
O, it's then's the times a feller is a-feelin' at his best,
With the risin' sun to greet him from a night of peaceful rest,
As he leaves the house, bare-headed, and goes out to feed the stock,
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.

They's something kindo' harty-like about the atmusfere
When the heat of summer's over and the coolin' fall is here -
Of course we miss the flowers, and the blossums on the trees,
And the mumble of the hummin'-birds and buzzin' of the bees;
But the air's so appetizin'; and the la...

James Whitcomb Riley

Old Winters On The Farm

    I have jest about decided
        It 'ud keep a town-boy hoppin'
        Fer to work all winter, choppin'
    Fer a' old fire-place, like I did!
    Lawz! them old times wuz contrairy! -
        Blame backbone o' winter, 'peared-like,
        Wouldn't break! - and I wuz skeerd-like
    Clean on into Febuary!
        Nothin' ever made we madder
    Than fer Pap to stomp in, layin'
    On a' extra fore-stick, sayin'
        "Groun'hog's out and seed his shadder!"

James Whitcomb Riley

A Brave Refrain

When snow is here, and the trees look weird,
And the knuckled twigs are gloved with frost;
When the breath congeals in the drover's beard,
And the old pathway to the barn is lost;
When the rooster's crow is sad to hear,
And the stamp of the stabled horse is vain,
And the tone of the cow-bell grieves the ear -
O then is the time for a brave refrain!

When the gears hang stiff on the harness-peg,
And the tallow gleams in frozen streaks;
And the old hen stands on a lonesome leg,
And the pump sounds hoarse and the handle squeaks;
When the woodpile lies in a shrouded heap,
And the frost is scratched from the window-pane
And anxious eyes from the inside peep -
O then is the time for a brave refrain!

When the ax-helve warms at the chimney-jamb,
And ho...

James Whitcomb Riley

The Hoodoo.

    Owned a pair o' skates onc't. - Traded
        Fer 'em, - stropped 'em on and waded
    Up and down the crick, a-waitin'
    Tel she'd freeze up fit fer skatin'.
    Mildest winter I remember -
        More like Spring- than Winter-weather! -
    Did n't frost tel bout December-
        Git up airly ketch a' feather
    Of it, mayby, 'crost the winder -
    Sunshine swinge it like a cinder!

    Well - I waited - and kep' waitin'!
        Couldn't see my money's w'oth in
    Them-air skates and was no skatin',
        Ner no hint o' ice ner nothin'!
    So, one day - along in airly
    Spring - I swopped 'em off - and barely
    Closed the dicker, 'fore the weather
        Natchurly jes slipped the ratchet,
    And crick...

James Whitcomb Riley

Says He

"Whatever the weather may be," says he--
    "Whatever the weather may be
It's plaze, if ye will, an' I'll say me say,--
Supposin' to-day was the winterest day,
Wud the weather be changing because ye cried,
Or the snow be grass were ye crucified?
The best is to make your own summer," says he,
"Whatever the weather may be," says he--
    "Whatever the weather may be!

"Whatever the weather may be," says he--
    "Whatever the weather may be,
It's the songs ye sing, an' the smiles ye wear,
That's a-makin' the sun shine everywhere;
An' the world of gloom is a world of glee,
Wid the bird in the bush, an' the bud in the tree,
An' the fruit on the stim of the bough," says he,
"Whatever the weather may be," says he--
    "Whatever the weather may be!
<...

James Whitcomb Riley

Old Man's Nursery Rhyme

I


In the jolly winters
Of the long-ago,
It was not so cold as now -
O! No! No!
Then, as I remember,
Snowballs to eat
Were as good as apples now.
And every bit as sweet!


II


In the jolly winters
Of the dead-and-gone,
Bub was warm as summer,
With his red mitts on, -
Just in his little waist-
And-pants all together,
Who ever hear him growl
About cold weather?


III


In the jolly winters
Of the long-ago -
Was it HALF so cold as now?
O! No! No!
Who caught his death o' cold,
Making prints of men
Flat-backed in snow that now's
Twice as cold again?


IV


In the jolly winters
Of the dead-and-gone,
Startin' out rabbit-huntin'...

James Whitcomb Riley