A Christmas Memory

written by


« Reload image

Pa he bringed me here to stay
  'Til my Ma she's well.--An' nen
  He's go' hitch up, Chris'mus-day,
  An' come take me back again
  Wher' my Ma's at! Won't I be
  Tickled when he comes fer me!

  My Ma an' my A'nty they
  'Uz each-uvver's sisters. Pa--
  A'nty telled me, th' other day,--
  He comed here an' married Ma....
  A'nty said nen, "Go run play,
  I must work now!" ... An' I saw,
  When she turn' her face away,
  She 'uz cryin'.--An' nen I
  'Tend-like I "run play"--an' cry.

  This-here house o' A'nty's wher'
  They 'uz borned--my Ma an' her!--
  An' her Ma 'uz my Ma's Ma,
  An' her Pa 'uz my Ma's Pa--

  Ain't that funny?--An' they're dead:
  An' this-here's "th' ole Homestead."--
  An' my A'nty said, an' cried,
  It's mine, too, ef my Ma died--
  Don't know what she mean--'cause my
  Ma she's nuvver go' to die!

  When Pa bringed me here 't 'uz night--
  'Way dark night! An' A'nty spread
  Me a piece--an' light the light
  An' say I must go to bed.--
  I cry not to---but Pa said,
  "Be good boy now, like you telled
  Mommy 'at you're go' to be!"
  An', when he 'uz kissin' me
  My good night, his cheeks' all wet
  An' taste salty.--An' he held
  Wite close to me an' rocked some
  An' langhed-like--'til A'nty come
  Git me while he's rockin' yet.

  A'nty he'p me, 'til I be
  Purt'-nigh strip-pud--nen hug me
  In bofe arms an' lif' me 'way
  Up in her high bed--an' pray
  Wiv me,--'bout my Ma--an' Pa--
  An' ole Santy Claus--an' Sleigh--
  An' Reindeers an' little Drum--
  Yes, an' Picture-books, "Tom Thumb,"
  An' "Three Bears," an' ole "Fee-Faw"--

  Yes, an' "Tweedle-Dee" an' "Dum,"
  An' "White Knight" an' "Squidjicum,"
  An' most things you ever saw!--
  An' when A'nty kissed me, she
  'Uz all cryin' over me!

  Don't want Santy Claus--ner things
  Any kind he ever brings!--
  Don't want A'nty!--Don't want Pa!--
  I ist only want my Ma!

© James Whitcomb Riley