Art and Poetry, a poem by James Whitcomb Riley


In celebration of Youth Art Month (YAM), we are presenting this poem, Art and Poetry, by James Whitcomb Riley. Youth Art Month is an annual observance occurring each March, provides a forum for recognizing skills developed through visual arts experiences. Here's to the world of art and poetry.

Art And Poetry
By James Whitcomb Riley

TO HOMER DAVENPORT

     Wess he says, and sort o' grins,
     "Art and Poetry is twins!

     "Yit, if I'd my pick, I'd shake
     Poetry, and no mistake!

     "Pictures, allus, 'peared to me,
     Clean laid over Poetry!

     "Let me draw, and then, i jings,
     I'll not keer a straw who sings.

     "'F I could draw as you have drew,
     Like to jes' swop pens with you!

     "Picture-drawin' 's my pet vision
     Of Life-work in Lands Elysian.

     "Pictures is first language we
     Find hacked out in History.

     "Most delight we ever took
     Was in our first Picture-book.

     "'Thout the funny picture-makers,
     They'd be lots more undertakers!

     "Still, as I say, Rhymes and Art
     'Smighty hard to tell apart.

     "Songs and pictures go together
     Same as birds and summer weather."

     So Wess says, and sort o' grins,
     "Art and Poetry is twins."

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