Knee Deep in June

1     Tell you what I like the best -     'Long about knee-deep in June,     'Bout the time strawberries melts     On the vine, some afternoon     Like to jes' git out and rest,     And not work at nothin' else!      2     Orchard's where I'd ruther be -     Needn't fence it in fer me!     Jes' the whole sky overhead,     And the whole airth underneath -     Sorto' so's a man kin breathe     Like he ort, and kindo' has     Elbow-room to keerlessly     Sprawl out len'thways on the grass     Where the shadders thick and soft     As the kivvers on the bed     Mother fixes in the loft     Allus, when they's company!      3     Jes' a-sorto' lazin' there -     S'lazy, 'at you peeks and peer     Through the wavin' leaves above,     Like a feller 'ats in love     And don't know it, ner don't keer!     Ever'thing you hear and see     Got some sort o' interest -     Maybe find a bluebird's nest     Tucked up there conveenently     Fer the boy 'at's ap' to be     Up some other apple-tree!     Watch the swallers skootin' past     'Bout as peert as you could ast;     Er the Bob-white raise and whiz     Where some other's whistle is.      4     Ketch a shadder down below,     And look up to find the crow -     Er a hawk, away up there     'Pearantly froze in the air!     Hear the old hen squawk, and squat     Over ever' chick she's got,     Suddent-like! And she knows where     That-air hawk is, well as you!     You jes' bet yer life she do!     Eyes a-glittern' like glass,     Waitin' till he makes a pass!      5     Pee-wees' singin', to express     My opinion, 's second class,     Yit you'll hear 'em more er less;     Sapsucks gittin' down to biz,     Weedin' out the lonesomeness;     Mr. Bluejay, full o' sass,     In them base-ball clothes o' his,     Sportin' round the orchard jes'     Life he owned the premises!     Sun out in the fields kin sizz,     But flat on yer back, I guess,     In the shade's where glory is!     That's jes' what I'd like to do     Stiddy fer a year er two!      6     Plague! Ef they ain't somepin' in     Work 'at kindo' goes ag'in'     My convictions! 'Long about     Here in June especially!     Under some old apple-tree,     Jes' a-restin' through and through,     I could git along without     Nothin' else at all to do     Only jes' a-wishin' you     Wuz a-gittin' there like me,     And June was eternity!      7     Lay out there and try to see     Jes' how lazy you kin be!     Tumble round and souse yer head     In the clover-bloom, er pull     Yer straw hat acrost yer eyes     And peek through it at the skies,     Thinkin' of old chums 'at's dead,     Maybe, smilin' back at you     In betwixt the 'beautiful     Clouds o' gold and white and blue!     Month a man kin railly love     June, you know, I'm talkin' of!      8     March ain't never nothin' new!     Aprile's altogether too     Brash fer me! And May - I jes'     'Bominate its promises,     Little hints o' sunshine and     Green around the timber-land -     A few blossoms, and a few     Chip-birds, and a sprout er two,     Drap asleep, and it turns in     'Fore daylight and snows ag'in!     But when June comes - Clear my th'oat     With wild honey! Rench my hair     In the dew! And hold my coat!     Whoop out loud! And th'ow my hat!     June wants me, and I'm to spare!     Spread them shadders anywhere,     I'll git down and waller there,     And obleeged to you at that!