Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE KATYDIDS by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: SOMETIMES I KEEP
Last Line: MOMMY DEAR!
Subject(s): KATYDIDS; NIGHT; NOISES; SLEEP; BEDTIME;

SOMETIMES I keep
From going to sleep,
To hear the katydids "cheep-cheep!"
And think they say
Their prayers that way;
But @3katydids@1 don't have to @3pray!@1

I listen when
They cheep again;
And so, I think, they're @3singing@1 then!
But, no; I'm wrong, --
The sound's too long
And all-alike to be a song!

I think, "Well, there!
I do declare,
If it is neither song nor prayer,
It's @3talk@1 -- and quite
Too vain and light
For me to listen to all night!"

And so, I smile,
And think, -- "Now I'll
Not listen for a little while!" --
Then, sweet and clear,
Next @3"cheep"@1 I hear
'S a @3kiss@1. . . . Good morning,
Mommy dear!



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