The poem “Love That Boy” is written by Walter Dean Myers, an American author known for his works in young adult literature. Born on August 12, 1937, in Martinsburg, West Virginia,
Myers was a prolific writer who often explored themes of urban life, family relationships, and the African American experience in his works.
He received numerous awards for his contributions to literature, including the Michael L. Printz Award and the Coretta Scott King Award
Love That Boy
By Walter Dean Myers
Love that boy,
like a rabbit loves to run
I said I love that boy
like a rabbit loves to run
Love to call him in the morning
love to call him
‘Hey there, son!’
He walk like his Grandpa,
Grins like his Uncle Ben.
I said he walk like his Grandpa,
And grins like his Uncle Ben.
Grins when he’s happy,
When he sad, he grins again.
His mama like to hold him,
Like to feed him cherry pie.
I said his mama like to hold him.
Like to feed him that cherry pie.
She can have him now,
I’ll get him by and by
He got long roads to walk down
Before the setting sun.
I said he got a long, long road to walk down
Before the setting sun.
He’ll be a long stride walker,
And a good man before he done.
Let’s break down the poem “Love That Boy” by Walter Dean Myers in simple language:
Love and Affection
The poem is about someone expressing deep love for a boy. The speaker compares their love to how much a rabbit loves to run, emphasizing that it’s a lot.
Morning Greetings
The speaker enjoys calling the boy in the morning and affectionately says, “Hey there, son!”
Family Resemblances
The boy walks and grins like his grandpa and Uncle Ben. This shows the family connections and similarities between generations.
Joy and Resilience
The boy grins when he’s happy, and even when he’s sad, he grins again. This highlights the boy’s positive attitude and resilience in tough times.
Maternal Love
The boy’s mother loves holding him and feeding him cherry pie. It paints a picture of nurturing and care.
Optimism for the Future
Although the boy has a long journey ahead of him, the speaker is optimistic. They believe the boy will become a “long stride walker” and a good man before the sun sets, indicating a hopeful outlook for the boy’s future.
Generational Connection
The poem subtly suggests a connection between different generations in a family, emphasizing the passing down of traits and love.
Simple Language and Repetition
The poem uses simple language, and the repetition of phrases like “I love that boy” and “long, long road” makes it easy to understand and gives it a musical quality.
In summary, “Love That Boy” is a sweet and optimistic expression of love for a young boy, highlighting family bonds, positive qualities, and hope for the future.
The repetition and straightforward language make it accessible and enjoyable for readers of all ages.
This is all about the love that boy poem.