Yawps is a collection of whimsical, satirical and lampoonish poems, all written by William James Lampton towards the end of the 19th century. This was Lampton's first published book and vaulted him into prominence in the New York literary world. There are 65 poems on a wide variety of subjects from political to military to every-day life. William J. Lampton was a first cousin to Samuel L. Clemens (Mark Twain) and was one of the most unique and interesting characters of literary and Bohemian New York from about 1895 to his death in 1917.