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

Taken Aback

Let me go, Joe, for I want go home:
   Can't stan' wid you,
   For pa might go come;
An' if him only hab him rum,
I don't know whatever I'll do.

I must go now, for it's gettin' night
   I am afraid, 
   An' tis not moonlight:
Give me de last hug, an' do it tight;
Me pa gwin' go knock off me head

No, Joe, don't come!--you will keep me late,
   An' pa might be 
   In him sober state;
Him might get vex' an' lock up de gate,
Den what will becomin' of me?

Go wid you, Joe? -- you don't lub me den!
   I shame' o' you--
   Gals caan' trust you men!
An' I b'en tekin' you fe me frien';
Good-night, Joe, you've proven untrue. 
 

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