Nature Sonnets (By the Village Poet)

Ma said she thought she orter have this year

A Christmas present, somethin’ useful, not

Much on the ornamental, an’ not dear

     But somethin’ she could use, an’ use a lot.

“It’s been, I think, four year or more,” said she,

Sence pa hung a present on my tree,”

Pa said he’d think it over; then we spied

A bundle from the grocers, neatly tied.

     “Not to be undone till Christmas morn,” says he.

On Christmas morn she opened it; she got

A bright new washboard, but she wasn’t quot;

     She fetched pa’s present an’ said out straight:

     “I hope you’ll use it more’n you’ve done uv late;

An’ handed him an axe – My warn’t pa hot!

July 16, 1911

Pa had a turkey which Thanksgivin’ time

          He thought wuz must too thin to stuff an’ bake

                              

                                      (unfinished)