Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE BUMBLEBEE, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE BUMBLEBEE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: You better not fool with a bumblebee!
Last Line: "wears out his welcome too quick fer me!"
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Subject(s): Bees; Insects; Beekeeping; Bugs


YOU better not fool with a Bumblebee! --
Ef you don't think they can sting -- you'll see!
They're lazy to look at, an' kind o' go
Buzzin' an' bummin' aroun' so slow,
An' ac' so slouchy an' all fagged out,
Danglin' their legs as they drone about
The hollyhawks 'at they can't climb in
'Ithout ist a-tumble-un out ag'in!
Wunst I watched one climb clean 'way
In a jimson-blossom, I did, one day, --
An' I ist grabbed it -- an' nen let go --
An' "Ooh-ooh! Honey! I told ye so!"
Says The Raggedy Man; an' he ist run
An' pullt out the stinger, an' don't laugh none,
An' says: "They has be'n folks, I guess,
'At thought I wuz predjudust, more er less, --
Yit I still muntain 'at a Bumblebee
Wears out his welcome too quick fer me!"





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