Sometimes I keep
From going to sleep,
To hear the katydids “cheep-cheep!”
And think they say
Their prayers that way;
But _katydids_ don’t have to _pray_!
I listen when
They cheep again
And so, I think, they’re _singing_ then!
But, no; I’m wrong,–
The sound’s too long
And all-alike to be a song!
I think, “Well, there!
I do declare,
If it is neither song nor prayer,
It’s _talk_–and quite
Too vain and light
For me to listen to all night!”
And so, I smile,
And think,–“Now I’ll
Not listen for a little while!”–
Then, sweet and clear,
Next “_cheep_” I hear
‘S a _kiss_…. Good morning, Mommy dear!
(James Whitcomb Riley)
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Based on Topics: Night Poems, Sleep Poems, Smiling Poems, Morning Poems, Prayers PoemsBased on Keywords: think-, mommy, katydids, all-alike, cheep-cheep, talk-and