Classic and Contemporary Poetry
PEEK-A-BOO, by ELLA WHEELER WILCOX Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The cunningest thing that a baby can do Last Line: How to hide, and play peek-a-boo, peek-a-boo. Alternate Author Name(s): Wilson, Robert, Mrs. Subject(s): Children; Games; Childhood; Recreation; Pastimes; Amusements | ||||||||
THE cunningest thing that a baby can do Is the very first time it plays peek-a-boo; When it hides its pink little face in its hands, And crows, and shows that it understands What nurse, and mamma and papa, too, Mean when they hide and cry, "Peek a-boo, peek-a-boo." Oh, what a wonderful thing it is, When they find that baby can play like this! And every one listens, and thinks it true That baby's gurgle means "Peek-a-boo, peek-a-boo"; And over and over the changes are rung On the marvellous infant who talks so young. I wonder if any one ever knew A baby that never played peek-a-boo, peek-a-boo. 'Tis old as the hills are. I believe Cain was taught it by Mother Eve; For Cain was an innocent baby, too, And I am sure he played peek-a-boo, peek-a-boo. And the whole world full of the children of men, Have all of them played that game since then. Kings and princes and beggars, too, Every one has played peek-a-boo, peek-a-boo. Thief and robber and ruffian bold, The crazy tramp and the drunkard old, All have been babies who laughed and knew How to hide, and play peek-a-boo, peek-a-boo. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE BLOODY SIRE by ROBINSON JEFFERS GAME AFTER SUPPER by MARGARET ATWOOD DANGEROUS GAMES by CAROLYN KIZER THE GOOD AUTHOR by CAROLYN KIZER BATTLEDORE AND SHUTTLECOCK by AMY LOWELL THE LOST CHILDREN by GREGORY ORR |
|