I can hear kittens and cows and dogs
And cooing pigeons and grumpy frogs
And hundreds of pleasant far-off things
Like beetles snapping shut their wings
And chuffing trains and bells and walking
And people on the corner talking,

But when my mother calls to know
Why I’m so everlasting slow,
Or will I please stay off the lawn,
Or come and put my sweater on,
Then even when I’m very near
I honestly don’t seem to hear.