Hist Whist

Hist Whist

E.E. Cummings

illustrated by Deborah Kogan Ray 1994

 E.E. Cummings' poem is perfect for this time of year.  This book just begs to be read aloud with plenty of spooky words plucked and whispered.  We read it once outside around the fire and then again in bed so as not to miss out on the ghostly watercolor illustrations by Ray.

Here's the poem in its entirety:

hist      whist

little ghostthings

tip toe

twinkle toe

little twitchy

witches and tingling

goblins

hob a nob      hob a nob

little hoppy happy

toad in tweeds

tweeds

little itchy mousies

with scuttling

eyes     rustle and run      and

hidehidehide

whisk

whisk        look out for the old woman

with the wart on her nose

what she'll do to yer

knobody knows

for she knows the devil      ooch

the devil     ouch

the devil

ach     the great

green

dancing

devil

devil

devil

devil

                             wheeEEE