Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TOMMY SMITH, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TOMMY SMITH, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Dimple-cheeked and rosy-lipped
Last Line: Little tommy smith.
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Subject(s): Children; Love; Tears; Childhood


DIMPLE-CHEEKED and rosy-lipped,
With his cap-rim backward tipped,
Still in fancy I can see
Little Tommy smile on me --
Little Tommy Smith.

Little unsung Tommy Smith --
Scarce a name to rhyme it with;
Yet most tenderly to me
Something sings unceasingly --
Little Tommy Smith.

On the verge of some far land
Still forever does he stand,
With his cap-rim rakishly
Tilted; so he smiles on me --
Little Tommy Smith.

Elder-blooms contrast the grace
Of the rover's radiant face --
Whistling back, in mimicry,
"Old -- Bob -- White!" all liquidly --
Little Tommy Smith.

O my jaunty statuette
Of first love, I see you yet,
Though you smile so mistily,
It is but through tears I see,
Little Tommy Smith.

But, with crown tipped back behind,
And the glad hand of the wind
Smoothing back your hair, I see
Heaven's best angel smile on me, --
Little Tommy Smith.





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