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Literary
May 17, 1912
Sharp County Record
Ash Flat, Cave City, Evening Shade, Sharp County, Arkansas
What is this article about?
Poem by Wilbur D. Nesbit where the speaker hears trees, grass, willow, lilac buds, orchard trees, burning bush, and roses laughing softly with a pleasant secret, evoking spring's renewal. Wonders what nature knows and joins the laughter.
Clipping
OCR Quality
78%
Good
Full Text
ONICOIR
Wilbur D. Nesbit
I like to hear 'em laughin'—all the trees an' grass an' things—
The whispered sort o' laughin' that's so mellowlike it sings!
You stand an' look an' listen, an' the whole round world seems still
An' then a shadowed chuckle comes afloatin' down the hill
An' drifts across the meadow, an' goes fadin' soft an' low:
An' the trees an' grass is laughin'—an' I wonder what they know!
It's somethin' mighty pleasant—an' the willow by the crick
Was the first to get the message, for the willow hears things quick.
It passed the word along 'em, an' they sent it here an' there
Till it was told in whispers that each little breeze could hear,
The lilac buds is laughin' as the twigs bend to and fro.
The grass has got the secret—an' I wonder what they know.
The trees out in the orchard, where they've stood as gaunt an' grim
As if a lot o' mournin' had been fastened to each limb,
Woke up the other mornin' an' they murmured something good
An' told it to each other till each other understood;
They prinked up like a lassie that's awaitin' for her beau
And nodded mighty gayly—an' I wonder what they know.
The burnin' bush that mother has along the garden wall
Is redder than a ruby all along each slender stalk:
The roses still are gloomy, with a frown on every thorn,
But I can hear them laughin', just as sure as I am born,
They've got a word o' gladness, but they talk in whispers, though.
An' hush when I will listen—an' I wonder what they know.
I like to hear 'em laughin'—just to stand an' look around
An' see 'em talkin' softly of the secret they have found.
An' somethin' 'way inside me says the sky is growin' blue
An' that I'm dreamin' somethin' I've forgotten that I knew:
For all the world is laughin' with a laughter soft an' low
An' I join in the laughin'—an' I wonder what I know.
Wilbur D. Nesbit
I like to hear 'em laughin'—all the trees an' grass an' things—
The whispered sort o' laughin' that's so mellowlike it sings!
You stand an' look an' listen, an' the whole round world seems still
An' then a shadowed chuckle comes afloatin' down the hill
An' drifts across the meadow, an' goes fadin' soft an' low:
An' the trees an' grass is laughin'—an' I wonder what they know!
It's somethin' mighty pleasant—an' the willow by the crick
Was the first to get the message, for the willow hears things quick.
It passed the word along 'em, an' they sent it here an' there
Till it was told in whispers that each little breeze could hear,
The lilac buds is laughin' as the twigs bend to and fro.
The grass has got the secret—an' I wonder what they know.
The trees out in the orchard, where they've stood as gaunt an' grim
As if a lot o' mournin' had been fastened to each limb,
Woke up the other mornin' an' they murmured something good
An' told it to each other till each other understood;
They prinked up like a lassie that's awaitin' for her beau
And nodded mighty gayly—an' I wonder what they know.
The burnin' bush that mother has along the garden wall
Is redder than a ruby all along each slender stalk:
The roses still are gloomy, with a frown on every thorn,
But I can hear them laughin', just as sure as I am born,
They've got a word o' gladness, but they talk in whispers, though.
An' hush when I will listen—an' I wonder what they know.
I like to hear 'em laughin'—just to stand an' look around
An' see 'em talkin' softly of the secret they have found.
An' somethin' 'way inside me says the sky is growin' blue
An' that I'm dreamin' somethin' I've forgotten that I knew:
For all the world is laughin' with a laughter soft an' low
An' I join in the laughin'—an' I wonder what I know.
What sub-type of article is it?
Poem
What themes does it cover?
Nature
Seasonal Cycle
What keywords are associated?
Laughing Trees
Nature Secret
Spring Awakening
Personified Nature
Whispered Joy
What entities or persons were involved?
Wilbur D. Nesbit
Literary Details
Title
Onicoir
Author
Wilbur D. Nesbit
Key Lines
An' The Trees An' Grass Is Laughin' An' I Wonder What They Know!
They Prinked Up Like A Lassie That's Awaitin' For Her Beau
They've Got A Word O' Gladness, But They Talk In Whispers, Though.
An' Something 'Way Inside Me Says The Sky Is Growin' Blue
For All The World Is Laughin' With A Laughter Soft An' Low
An' I Join In The Laughin' An' I Wonder What I Know.