The Dead Joke And The Funny Man

Long years ago, a funny man,
    Flushed with a strange delight,
Sat down and wrote a funny thing
    All in the solemn night;
And as he wrote he clapped his hands
    And laughed with all his might.
    For it was such a funny thing,
    O, such a very funny thing,
    This wonderfully funny thing,
    He
    Laughed
        Outright.

And so it was this funny man
    Printed this funny thing -
Forgot it, too, nor ever thought
    It worth remembering,
Till but a day or two ago.
    (Ah! what may changes bring!)
    He found this selfsame funny thing
    In an exchange - "O, funny thing!"
    He cried, "You dear old funny thing!"
    And
    Sobbed
        Outright.

James Whitcomb Riley

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

English

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