Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SCEPTICS, by BURGES JOHNSON



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SCEPTICS, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: When your old dad was as little as you
Last Line: We used to spank children for mischief like that.
Subject(s): Children; Fathers; Mothers; Childhood


When your old dad was as little as you
Was he likely to do
What they wanted him to?
Why, certainly so! And as quick as a wink
He did as they bid him before you could think.
Hey! Hey?
What do you say?
What makes you keep winking and grinning that way?
Your uncle's been "tellin' you sumthin'"? Dear, dear!
You mustn't believe all the stories you hear.

When dad and his playmates were nice little boys
The first of their joys
Was giving their toys
To poor little children who needed them more;
Your dad was so good he gave all of his store.
Hey! Hey?
What do you say?
Your mother has some of 'em now, put away?
Such nerve was unknown in my day!—I'll be bound
You imps have been snooping and prying around.

When daddy was young he was deaf, dumb, and blind
To pranks unrefined;
He'd a serious mind.
He paid no attention to girls and their looks,
But gave all his time to his tasks and his books.
Hey! Hey?
What do you say?
Yes, mother was raised in the very same way.
You found an old letter and read it?—My Scat!
We used to spank children for mischief like that.





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