Poem of the Week: Peter Cottontail

by Beatrix Potter

A slightly delayed poem this week -- because it's Easter! Mmm, chocolate. And in that sort of spirt, here's a lovely bit of Beatrix Potter.

Before we begin, I should point out that the titular rabbit is, of course, Peter Rabbit. Apparently; because, as I'm sure you know, Peter and Cottontail are two different bunnies in The Tale of Peter Rabbit. I'm afraid I have no clarification on this point.

Here comes Peter Cottontail,
Hoppin' down the bunny trail,
Hippity, hoppity,
Easter's on its way.

Bringin' every girl and boy Baskets full of Easter joy,
Things to make your Easter bright and gay.
He's got jelly beans for Tommy,
Colored eggs for sister Sue,
There's an orchid for your Mommy
And an Easter bonnet, too.

Oh, here comes Peter Cottontail,
Hoppin' down the bunny trail,
Hippity, hoppity,
Happy Easter day.

Here comes Peter Cottontail,
Hoppin' down the bunny trail,
Look at him stop,
And listen to him say:
"Try to do the things you should."
Maybe if you're extra good,
He'll roll lots of Easter eggs your way.

You'll wake up on Easter morning
And you'll know that he was there
When you find those choc'late bunnies
That he's hiding ev'rywhere.

Oh, here comes Peter Cottontail,
Hoppin' down the bunny trail,
Hippity, hoppity,
Happy Easter day.

Happy Easter Day indeed.