They's a kind o' _feel_ in the air, to me. <br />When the Chris'mas-times sets in. <br />That's about as much of a mystery <br />As ever I've run ag'in!-- <br />Fer instunce, now, whilse I gain in weight <br />And gineral health, I swear <br />They's a _goneness_ somers I can't quite state-- <br />A kind o' _feel_ in the air. <br /> <br />They's a feel in the Chris'mas-air goes right <br />To the spot where a man _lives_ at!-- <br />It gives a feller a' appetite-- <br />They ain't no doubt about _that_!-- <br />And yit they's _somepin_'--I don't know what-- <br />That follers me, here and there, <br />And ha'nts and worries and spares me not-- <br />A kind o' feel in the air! <br /> <br />They's a _feel_, as I say, in the air that's jest <br />As blame-don sad as sweet!-- <br />In the same ra-sho as I feel the best <br />And am spryest on my feet, <br />They's allus a kind o' sort of a' _ache_ <br />That I can't lo-cate no-where;-- <br />But it comes with _Chris'mas_, and no mistake!-- <br />A kind o' feel in the air. <br /> <br />Is it the racket the childern raise?-- <br />W'y, _no_!--God bless 'em!--_no_!-- <br />Is it the eyes and the cheeks ablaze-- <br />Like my _own_ wuz, long ago?-- <br />Is it the bleat o' the whistle and beat <br />O' the little toy-drum and blare <br />O' the horn?--_No! no!_--it is jest the sweet-- <br />The sad-sweet feel in the air.<br /><br />James Whitcomb Riley<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-feel-in-the-chris-mas-air/
