The Poetry Corner

Mr. Moon: A Song Of The Little People.

By Bliss Carman (William)

O Moon, Mr. Moon, When you comin' down? Down on the hilltop, Down in the glen, Out in the clearin', To play with little men? Moon, Mr. Moon, When you comin' down? O Mr. Moon, Hurry up your stumps! Don't you hear Bullfrog Callin' to his wife, And old black Cricket A-wheezin' at his fife? Hurry up your stumps, And get on your pumps! Moon, Mr. Moon, When you comin' down? O Mr. Moon, Hurry up along! The reeds in the current Are whisperin' slow; The river's a-wimplin' To and fro. Or you'll miss the song! Moon, Mr. Moon, When you comin' down? O Mr. Moon, We're all here! Honey-bug, Thistledrift, White-imp, Weird, Wryface, Billiken, Quidnunc, Queered; We're all here, And the coast is clear! Moon, Mr. Moon, When you comin' down? O Mr. Moon, We're the little men! Dewlap, Pussymouse, Ferntip, Freak, Drink-again, Shambler, Talkytalk, Squeak; Three times ten Of us little men! Moon, Mr. Moon, When you comin' down? O Mr. Moon, We're all ready! Tallenough, Squaretoes, Amble, Tip, Buddybud, Heigho, Little black Pip; We're all ready, And the wind walks steady! Moon, Mr. Moon, When you comin' down? O Mr. Moon, We're thirty score; Yellowbeard, Piper, Lieabed, Toots, Meadowbee, Moonboy, Bully-in-boots; Three times more Than thirty score. Moon, Mr. Moon, When you comin' down? O Mr. Moon, Keep your eye peeled; Watch out to windward, Or you'll miss the fun, Down by the acre Where the wheat-waves run; Keep your eye peeled For the open field. Moon, Mr. Moon, When you comin' down? O Mr. Moon, There's not much time! Hurry, if you're comin', You lazy old bones! You can sleep to-morrow While the Buzbuz drones; There's not much time Till the church bells chime. Moon, Mr. Moon, When you comin' down? O Mr. Moon, Just see the clover! Soon we'll be going Where the Gray Goose went When all her money Was spent, spent, spent! Down through the clover, When the revel's over! Moon, Mr. Moon, When you comin' down? O Moon, Mr. Moon, When you comin' down? Down where the Good Folk Dance in a ring, Down where the Little Folk Sing? Moon, Mr. Moon, When you comin' down?