The Old Hay-mow's the place to play <br />Fer boys, when it's a rainy day! <br />I good-'eal ruther be up there <br />Than down in town, er anywhere! <br /> <br />When I play in our stable-loft, <br />The good old hay's so dry an' soft, <br />An' feels so fine, an' smells so sweet, <br />I 'most ferget to go an' eat. <br /> <br />An' one time wunst I _did_ ferget <br />To go 'tel dinner was all et,-- <br />An' they had short-cake--an'--Bud he <br />Hogged up the piece Ma saved fer me! <br /> <br />Nen I won't let him play no more <br />In our hay-mow where I keep store <br />An' got hen-eggs to sell,--an' shoo <br />The cackle-un old hen out, too! <br /> <br />An' nen, when Aunty she was here <br />A-visitun from Rensselaer, <br />An' bringed my little cousin,--_he_ <br />Can come up there an' play with me. <br /> <br />But, after while--when Bud he bets <br />'At I can't turn no summersetts,-- <br />I let him come up, ef he can <br />Ac' ha'f-way like a gentleman!<br /><br />James Whitcomb Riley<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-old-hay-mow/
