Explore "To Almon Keefer. Inscribed in "Tales of the Ocean"" by James Whitcomb Riley on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
This first book that I ever knew / Was read aloud to me by you -- / Friend of my boyhood, therefore take / It back from me, for old times' sake -- / The selfsame "Tales" first read to me, / Under "the old sweet apple tree," / Ere I myself could read such great / Big words, -- but listening all elate, / At your interpreting, until / Brain, heart and soul were all athrill / With wonder, awe, and sheer excess / Of wildest childish happiness.
So take the book again -- forget / All else, -- long years, lost hopes, regret; / Sighs for the joys we ne'er attain, / Prayers we have lifted all in vain; / Tears for the faces seen no more, / Once as the roses at the door! / Take the enchanted book -- And lo, / On grassy swards of long ago, / Sprawl out again, beneath the shade / The breezy old-home orchard made, / The veriest barefoot boy indeed -- / And I will listen as you read.