Thursday, October 30, 2008

When The Frost Is On The Punkin'

I am taking a cue from Meadowlark and Robin today. I'd like to share a poem that I think is so much fun to read out loud. Sometimes poetry can be high and lofty or melancholy and sad. I suppose poetry is meant to touch on certain emotions according to what the writer wants to convey. This piece speaks of all things country and of the satisfaction that comes with living the country way. It reminds me of how alot of my blogger friends live their lives with or without a farm per se. Lacey of Razor Family Farms comes to mind as well as Meadowlark of Just Wandering Through and Robin from The Blog at Stokesbury. There is Carolyn from the Barber Bunch who always has good ideas on saving money and stretching a dollar. Mac from Texas Machinist is sure to enjoy it as well. My sister Darla, also knows how to live simply and the essence of this poem relates to her as well.

Be sure to read it out loud y'all! It may take a couple of times to get the flow going but once you do... it's so much fun... really it is! I read it to Jeff last night, I'm not sure he enjoyed it as much as I did but at least it brought a bit of happiness to my soul anyway.




When The Frost Is On the Punkin

When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock,
And you hear the kyouck and gobble of the struttin' turkey-cock,
And the clackin' of the guineys, and the cluckin' of the hens,
And the rooster's hallylooyer as he tiptoes on the fence;
O, it's then's the times a feller is a-feelin' at his best,
With the risin' sun to greet him from a night of peaceful rest,
As he leaves the house, bareheaded, and goes out to feed the stock,
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.

They's something kindo' harty-like about the atmusfere
When the heat of summer's over and the coolin' fall is here --
Of course we miss the flowers, and the blossums on the trees,
And the mumble of the hummin'-birds and buzzin' of the bees;
But the air's so appetizin'; and the landscape through the haze
Of a crisp and sunny morning of the airly autumn days
Is a pictur' that no painter has the colorin' to mock --
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.

The husky, rusty russel of the tossels of the corn,
And the raspin' of the tangled leaves, as golden as the morn;
The stubble in the furries -- kindo' lonesome-like, but still
A-preachin' sermuns to us of the barns they growed to fill;
The strawstack in the medder, and the reaper in the shed;
The hosses in theyr stalls below -- the clover over-head! --
O, it sets my hart a-clickin' like the tickin' of a clock,
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock!

Then your apples all is gethered, and the ones a feller keeps
Is poured around the celler-floor in red and yeller heaps;
And your cider-makin' 's over, and your wimmern-folks is through
With their mince and apple-butter, and theyr souse and saussage, too! ...
I don't know how to tell it -- but ef sich a thing could be
As the Angels wantin' boardin', and they'd call around on me --
I'd want to 'commodate 'em -- all the whole-indurin' flock --
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock!

James Whitcomb Riley

8 comments:

  1. That's kind of a tongue twister! Very cute..

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  2. I have heard the phrase Frost on the pumkin' but nver knew there was a poem !!!!

    Thanks for the shout out!

    Carolyn

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  3. Awww shucks! I love that you think of us when you think of all things country and living the country way!

    You are so sweet!

    That is a neat tongue-twister. I read it twice out loud and messed up both times trying to go as fast as I could. It was fun!

    Blessings!
    lacy

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  4. I love that one!!!

    Did you see the one Risa posted at Sharon's site?
    When icicles hang by the wall
    And Dick the shepherd blows his nail
    And Tom bears logs into the hall,
    And milk comes frozen home in pail,
    When Blood is nipped and ways be foul,
    Then nightly sings the staring owl,
    Tu-who;
    Tu-whit, tu-who: a merry note,
    While greasy Joan doth keel the pot.

    When all aloud the wind doth blow,
    And coughing drowns the parson’s saw,
    And birds sit brooding in the snow,
    And Marian’s nose looks red and raw
    When roasted crabs hiss in the bowl,
    Then nightly sings the staring owl,
    Tu-who;
    Tu-whit, tu-who: a merry note,
    While greasy Joan doth keel the pot.
    These all TOTALLY should autumn.

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  5. Meadowlark,
    It's 72 degrees here today, but reading that poem, I could almost feel the frigid cold.

    I didn't get the "when blood is nipped" part, it kind of sounded creepy.

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  6. You flatter me, Laurie, but I'm grateful. I enjoyed the poem.

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  7. Hey Miss L.! Well, I'll be tootin' if that wasn't a FINE poem if'n I eva heard one! (said in my best hillbilly talkin')

    We LOVED this! I read it outloud to my girlies. Em said it was "cool" while she was giggling. Bek said it was "cool and interesting" while finishing up a homemade blueberry muffin. :)

    Beautiful poem, I'm glad you shared it. Hugs, Robin

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