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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


OLD GRANNY DUSK by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: OLD GRANNY DUSK, WHEN THE SUN
Last Line: ER KISSES THE FACE YOU'RE A-BENDIN' DOWN.
Subject(s): ANIMALS; BATS; DUSK; KATYDIDS;

OLD Granny Dusk, when the sun goes down,
Here @3she@1 comes into thish-yer town!
Out o' the wet black woods an' swamps
In she traipses an' trails an' tromps --
With her old sunbonnet all floppy an' brown,
An' her cluckety shoes, an' her old black gown,
Here @3she@1 comes into thish-yer town!

Old Granny Dusk, when the bats begin
To flap around, comes a-trompin' in!
An' the katydids they rasp an' whir,
An' the lightnin'-bugs all blink at @3her;@1
An' the old Hop-toad turns in his thumbs,
An' the bunglin' June-bug booms an' bums,
An' the Bullfrog croaks, "O here @3she@1 comes!"

Old Granny Dusk, though I'm 'feard o' you,
Shore-fer-certain I'm sorry, too:
'Cause you look as lonesome an' starved an' sad
As a mother 'at's lost ever' child she had. --
Yet never a child in thish-yer town
Clings at yer hand er yer old black gown,
Er kisses the face you're a-bendin' down.



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