Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE RAGGEDY MAN ON CHILDREN by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: CHILDERN - TAKE 'EM AS THEY
Last Line: THEN BE GOOD EF THEY'D BE GOOD.
Subject(s): CHILDREN; SOUL; CHILDHOOD;

CHILDERN -- take 'em as they run --
You kin @3bet@1 on, ev'ry one! --
Treat 'em right and reco'nize
Human souls is all one size.

Jevver think? -- the world's best men
Wears the same souls they had when
They run barefoot -- 'way back where
All these little children air.

Heerd a boy, not long ago,
Say his parents @3sassed@1 him so,
He'd @3correct@1 'em, ef he could, --
Then be good ef @3they'd@1 be good.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net