Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE STRENGTH OF THE WEAK by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: LAST CHRIS'MUS, LITTLE BENNY
Last Line: "YOU SKEER ME THATAWAY!"
Subject(s): CHILDREN; CHRISTMAS; FAMILY LIFE; GIFTS & GIVING; CHILDHOOD; NATIVITY, THE; RELATIVES;

@3LAST@1 Chris'mus, little Benny
Wuzn't sick so bad, --
@3Now@1 he's had the worst spell
Ever yet he had.
Ever' Chris'mus-morning, though,
He'll p'tend as if
He's asleep -- an' first you know
He's got your "Chris'mus-gif'"!

Pa he's good to @3all@1 of us
@3All@1 the time; but when,
Ever' time it's @3Chris'mus@1,
He's as good-again! --
'Sides our toys an' candy,
Ever' Chris'mus he
Gives us all a quarter,
Certain as can be!

Pa, this morning, tiptoe' in
To make the fire, you know,
Long 'fore it's daylight,
An' all's ice an' snow! --
An' Benny holler, @3"Chris'mus-gif'!"@1
An' Pa jump an' say,
"You'll only get a @3dollar@1 if
You skeer me thataway!"



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