C. T. Suddeth

James Whitcomb Riley (1849-1916), the Hoosier poet, the originator of Little Orphan Annie. When I was in high school, a lady gave a reading of his poetry. She lived in his house as a child, and I never forgot his poetry.

WHEN THE FROST IS ON THE PUNKIN

When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder’s in the shock,

And you hear the kyouck and gobble of the struttin’ turkey-cock,

And the clackin’ of the guineys, and the cluckin’ of the hens,

And the rooster’s hallylooyer as he tiptoes on the fence…