Claude McKay's Early Poetry (1911-1922): A Digital Collection

Ione

SAY if you lub me, do tell me truly,
       Ione, Ione;
For, O me dearie, not'in' can part we,
       Ione, Ione.

Under de bamboo, where de fox-tail grew,
       Ione, Ione.
While do cool breeze blew -- sweet, I did pledge you,
       Ione, Ione.

Where calalu grows, an' yonder book flows,
       Ione, Ione.
I held a dog-rose under your li'l nose,
       Ione, Ione.

There where de lee stream plays wid de sunbeam
       Ione, Ione.
True be'n de love-gleam as a sweet day-dream, 
       Ione, Ione.

Watchin' de bucktoe under de shadow
       Ione, Ione.
Of a pear-tree low dat in de stream grow,
       Ione, Ione.

Mek me t'ink how when we were lee children, 
       Ione, Ione.
We used to fishen in old Carew Pen,
       Ione, Ione.

Like tiny meshes, curl your black tresses,
       Ione, Ione.
An' my caresses tek widout blushes,
       Ione, Ione.

Kiss me, my airy winsome lee fairy,
       Ione, Ione.
Are you now weary, little canary,
       Ione, Ione.

Then we will go, pet, as it is sunset, 
       Ione, Ione.
Tek dis sweet vi'let, we will be one yet,
       Ione, Ione.


 

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