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"Ode to Old John McCraay"
For years they'd say old John McCraay
Was as ornery as a snake.
He'd make the children run in fear
"Till their legs began to quake.
He'd shout and spit out people's names
And stomp or scream and yell,
The dogs would slither past his house
When he went to get his mail.
Not one kind word he's speak aloud
To those who wished him well.
In time the people turned away
Where John McCraay would dwell.
They'd not perceive a smile or grin
Come from his dreary place,
Just wrinkled brows and pinching eyes
Was plastered on his face.
One morning early John McCraay
(Now this is what I heard)
Had waved a friendly hi! hello!
With no single nasty word.
No insults came, no stomping boots,
No slander, hate or grief.
The neighbors passing by his house
Would stare in disbelief.
No one could see the puppy
Tucked so softly in his arms
which had crept into his window
And wooed him with its charms.
That's all the old man needed
was just something warm to hold,
And now they say Old John McCraay
Has a heart as good as gold.
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