Dora Lawrence, "Round de Fireplace Wid Rindy" (1906)
Some folks lake de ba'm ob Spring,
Odders hankers fer ole Autumn,
But I laks what Winter bring.
Winter eb'nins long an ' chllly,
No'f win' knockin' at yo' do',
Sit an' hear de voice ob Nachur
Tell de embers die down low.
ONE thing why I laks de Winter,
Ain' much work a doin' den,
Coffee roas'in in de skillet,
Hog a fatt'nin' in de pen.
Rindy cooks de ole time cookin',
T'ank de Lor' I got her sho;
Eb'ry night I praise de Fadder
As de embers die down low.
TALK an' talk from dark tell midnight,
TANuffin' 'tall ter call yer min'—
Smoke house full,-corn an ' bacon,—
'Tater pumps all in a line.
Winter eb'nings bring sweet mem'ries
Ob de days so long ago,
When I sat and talked wid Rindy
Tell de embers died down low.
SOM'IN 'bout de Winter weatha'
Meks yo' feel yo' aint so spry,
Draws yo' nearer to de Fadder
'Cause yo' time hit mought be nigh.
Yo' doan see no green leab's peepin,'
Yo' doan hear de waters flow,-
Curious thoughts dey come upon me
When de embers die down low.
SOMETIMES I sees de Lan o' Beulah
Shinin' fore dese dim ole eyes,
For de time aint long, I feels it,
'Fore my soul am gwine ter rise
To de lan' ob milk an' honey
Where de Crystal Ribber flow,---
An' der wont be no mo' waitin '
Tell de embers die down low.
Published in Colored American Magazine, June 1906