Wunst I sassed my Pa, an' he <br />Won't stand that, an' punished me,-- <br />Nen when he was gone that day, <br />I slipped out an' runned away. <br /> <br />I tooked all my copper-cents, <br />An' clumbed over our back fence <br />In the jimpson-weeds 'at growed <br />Ever'where all down the road. <br /> <br />Nen I got out there, an' nen <br />I runned some--an' runned again <br />When I met a man 'at led <br />A big cow 'at shooked her head. <br /> <br />I went down a long, long lane <br />Where was little pigs a-play'n'; <br />An' a grea'-big pig went 'Booh!' <br />An' jumped up, an' skeered me too. <br /> <br />Nen I scampered past, an' they <br />Was somebody hollered 'Hey!' <br />An' I ist looked ever'where, <br />An' they was nobody there. <br /> <br />I _Want_ to, but I'm 'fraid to try <br />To go back.... An' by-an'-by <br />Somepin' hurts my throat inside-- <br />An' I want my Ma--an' cried. <br /> <br />Nen a grea'-big girl come through <br />Where's a gate, an' telled me who <br />Am I? an' ef I tell where <br />My home's at she'll show me there. <br /> <br />But I couldn't ist but tell <br />What's my _name_; an' she says well, <br />An' she tooked me up an' says <br />_She_ know where I live, she guess. <br /> <br />Nen she telled me hug wite close <br />Round her neck!--an' off she goes <br />Skippin' up the street! An' nen <br />Purty soon I'm home again. <br /> <br />An' my Ma, when she kissed me, <br />Kissed the _big girl_ too, an' _she_ <br />Kissed me--ef I p'omise _shore_ <br />I won't run away no more!<br /><br />James Whitcomb Riley<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-runaway-boy/
