The Bumblebee

A poem by James Whitcomb Riley

You better not fool with a Bumblebee! -
Ef you don't think they can sting - you'll see!
They're lazy to look at, an' kindo' go
Buzzin' an' bummin' aroun' so slow,
An' ac' so slouchy an' all fagged out,
Danglin' their legs as they drone about
The hollyhawks 'at they can't climb in
'Ithout ist a-tumble-un out agin!
Wunst I watched one climb clean 'way
In a jim'son-blossom, I did, one day, -
An' I ist grabbed it - an' nen let go -
An' "Ooh-ooh! Honey! I told ye so!"
Says The Raggedy Man; an' he ist run
An' pullt out the stinger, an' don't laugh none,
An' says: "They has ben folks, I guess,
'At thought I wuz predjudust, more er less, -
Yit I still muntain 'at a Bumblebee
Wears out his welcome too quick fer me!"