’
D A DDY S L OVE
A ND
O THER P OEM S
BY I R V IN
W
.
ND E R H ILL
E
BL IN D V E R S E
WR IT ER
P H ILA D E LP H IA , PE NNS YLV A NI A
.
M Y P U R PO S E
D ED I CATIO N
11
TO
OU R B O Y S
B A CK
13
HO M E
I
W H AT M OTH E R M EA N S
TH E P ES SI M I ST
TH E
TH E
O PTI M I S T
O NE I N S A B L E CL A D
E LE GY
A
A ND
TO M E
TO D R
.
B OO K ER T
FA LL E N P R I N C E
15
17
18
19
.
W A S H I NG TO N
22
24
25
27
EPH R A I M S PH I L O S O PH Y
30
E PH R A I M S
31
’
’
KI S S
CO N S O L ATIO N
OU R
R OS E
32
33
I ND E!
-
C on ti n u e d
S O N G OF TH E T O I L E R S
M AH
A
C H OC L A T
’
D R E AM
OF
D RO P
34
.
s
P EA C E
L I F E S LO V E S
’
36
38
S P I R IT G U I D E S
TH E C O LO N E L S S O L I L O ! U Y
’
40
TH E R ED A S T E R
T EA CH
BY
E! A M P L E
L ETT E R TO H E L E N
44
H ELEN
TH E T R A M P O R TH E P R I E S T
46
S A M A N D TH E P EA CH
D E S W E ET G U R L G R A D U AT E
49
S O L IT U D E
51
S E EK I N G J OY
52
TH E D E B U TA N TE
53
TO
YO
UN G GI RLS
A U N T S A LL Y
E
W I NT E R
TO
S
TO
CO LO R ED S O L D I E R S
TH E
TH E
SPRING
V O I C E O F TH E Y
M
.
TH E
M IND
TO
F R I E N D S CA N A R Y
A
.
C A
.
61
62
.
65
’
CO N S TA N T CO U R A G E CO N ! U E R S
GIV E
U S M EN
67
L A M E N TATI ON S O F A H E N
69
A U TO B IO G R A PH Y
77
P LA Y
TO
IT SOF
’
M R J A M ES
.
A D R EA M
OF
GEN TL E
AN
’
w M OO R E
.
D UN BA R
L AK !
’
-
81
85
87
MY
I do
P U R P OS E I
a i m to sin g th e s e songs
ba rds an d s crib e s an d
t r e a d th e e a sy golde n path ;
I s imply w ie ld my p en
To s moo th th e way f or down ca st sou l s
To s e t th e i r fe e t a ri gh t
To t e a ch th e m that t ru e fa ith in God
I s br ea d and m e at a nd might
n ot
,
,
-
,
,
,
.
,
And I h a ve r ight t o s in g th e s e songs ;
I dwe ll in so mbr e mi st ;
M y skin i s dar k ; my ha i r i s curl e d ;
P ove rty s on my l i st
B ut O h th e love t h e j oy th e l igh t
I gl e an from day to day
Th rough fa ith i n God an d H i s ow n S on ;
Th ey smooth my rugge d way
’
.
,
,
,
.
D E D I C AT I ON
.
To
!
Mrs
L e l a Wa l ke r B r y a n !
-
.
.
Te a ch e r fr i e n d a n d gu ide oh wh a t p ride
To m e to de di cat e t o th e e
Th i s book wh i ch thou ha st h elp e d p rep a r e
T O s c a tt e r broa dca st e ve rywh e r e
,
,
,
,
,
.
th e pat i ent platoni c love
H ea ve n e nt ru st e d t o thy c a r e
T o sp r ea d about th e e h e r e an d th e r e
Wh e r e e e r i t b e s t m igh t h e lp th e r e st
Oh ,
,
,
,
’
.
fa ith fu l t ea ch e r fri end an d gu ide
That thou h a st love d m e i s my pr ide
That thou ha s t t au ght m e i s my j oy ;
I t made m e on c e agai n a boy
Oh
,
,
,
,
.
M ost
Gr a ciou s God my thank s to Th e e
Th a t I w a s l e d t o th i s f a i r sp r ing
W hi ch s e e m s t o know mo st e ve ryth in g
Th a t I do n e e d to pl a n t my s e e d
,
,
.
,
TO E VA
.
r epo s ing by my w in dow S ill
not th e morph i c cal l to m e
I th in k an d think my E v a dea r of th e e ;
An d wh e n at la st s ub mi s s ive to H i s w ill
S we et s lu mb e r ove r com e s m e soft an d st i ll
I dr e a m and dr ea m my darl in g w i fe of th e e
And wh i l e on c e mor e thy love ly fa ce I s e e
M y sou l doth glory t hu s to h ave it s wi ll
Th e n a s through m at ing days and hon eym oon
I st roll and st rol l b e s ide my darlin g b r ide ;
L i fe s e e m s to m e on e gran d ce l e s tia l tun e
Wh i ch shall not e n d unt il it s e venti de ;
B ut oh ala s th at dre a m s mu st en d so s oorg
F or I awak e an d thou n ot by my s i de
S om et i m e s
R ega rdin g
!
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
t
tt
If
h ei gh s a a i n
w ou l d
K e e p p l od d i n g w h e n
s e ems
va i n
S mi li n g
h er e s cau s e
ear s,
fai h
ma s e r
y ou r f e a r s
t
t
,
’
t
t
,
.
161111 2
fl
nt
anh
ma
D A DD Y S L OV E
’
.
M os foke s i s a llu s t al kin bout
D a r de ah O l e m u d d a h s lub ;
D ey low s dat it s a bl e s s in
D a t cum s from H e b n a bove
’
’
’
‘
’
’
’
.
D ey
s a ys dat yo kai mt ki ll it
S o lon g a s mammy br e ath e s
An eb e n wh e n S h e s gon t h e b
D ey cl a r e dat mam my s e e s
’
,
’
’
’
’
’
.
Ah d on di sput e dat a u g u m e n t
Ah s u t t i n ly know s i t s t ru e
B ut wh at ah w a nt s t t el l yo i s
D a t d ad dy lub s som e too
’
,
’
,
’
’
.
11
’
n
D A DD Y S LOVE A ND O T H ER POEM S
’
B ut s om how da dd y s e e m s t t h i n k
H i s lub m u s not b e sh ow n
To l itt l e boys a n l itt l e gurl s
D a t lib i n h i s own home
’
’
,
’
’
.
De
n it e m da d dy tu k
M e w id h i m t d e s t oa h ;
H e t alk e d a n t a l ke d w i d a ll de m m en
Ti l a h b e g a n t s n oa h
u d da h
’
’
’
’
’
.
An den h e tu k h i s big h a d h a n
An rub i t on m fa ce
It s crat ch m aw ful de e d i t did
B ut i n i t da wa s gra ce
’
’
’
’
’
,
’
’
,
,
’
,
D at
minde d m e O b all de j oy
Ah git s from mam my s ki s s ;
It f ot c h d a f e e li n ovah m e
Ah sp e cs dat it wa s bl i s s
,
’
’
’
’
.
An den h e s ays t al l de m m e n !
D e fin e st ch il e i n town
D e i dol of hi s daddy s h e a rt
”
H e fi ll s m wid r enown !
’
’
“
,
’
,
’
An den ah m u r m a h e d in m dr ea m
Y eh ma mmy s lub am t ru e
B ut I s e a gwin e t t e ll d e w u r ld
”
D a t d a ddy lub s so me t oo l
’
’
“
’
,
,
’
’
12
5
4
.
’
D A DD Y S LOVE A ND O T H ER POEM S
TO OU R B O Y S
.
I spe a k to you my Colore d boys
I bid you to b e m en
D on t put you r s e lve s upon th e r a ck
L ik e pigeon s i n a p en
Com e ou t an d fac e l i fe s probl e m boys
With fa ith an d cour age t oo
An d j ust i fy t h a t wondrou s faith
Ab e L in co ln h a d in you
,
,
,
’
.
’
,
,
,
,
.
D on
t t r e a t l i fe a s a l ittl e t oy
A dan c e or a ga m e of bal l ;
Tho s e thin gs ar e al l right in th e ir pla ce
B u t th ey a r e not l i f e s a ll
L i fe i s a p robl e m s e riou s
Gi ve it th e b e st you h ave
S u cce e d in a ll you un de rtak e
An d h elp you r b roth e r l ive
’
,
’
.
,
,
,
.
I f fa rmin g s e e m s t o b e you r cal l
Th e n ta k e h ol d of th e plou gh
An d st i ck i t down i n to th e s oi l
Ti ll swe at run s down your b row
Th e n m ak e th i s r e solution fi r m !
I m going t o do my b e st
An d sti ck thi s good ol d plough of min e
”
D own de ep e r than th e r e st
,
,
.
“
’
,
.
13
,
’
D A D DY S LOVE A ND O T H ER P OEM S
i t s pot a t oe s you woul d grow
Th e n b uy th e b e st for s e e d
An d r ea d what L uth e r B urban k s a y s
T o fi n d wh at t at e r s n e e d
I f you w il l ho e th e m w e l l my boys
W ith ca r e an d r i ch manur e
Y ou l l fi n d wh e n w int e r com e s a roun d
Y ou r mon ey w i ll b e s u r e
If
’
,
.
,
,
’
.
you r e t o be a c a rp en t e r
Th e n t rain you r h a n d an d e ye
To wor k ou t an gl e s cl e a n an d cl e a r
A S any m e ta l dye
Th e n r e ad up on mat e r i al s
O n b e auty an d on styl e
An d prove to a ll th e hou s e you build
I s s u re t o b e w orth w hi l e
If
’
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
W hy
s ur e a ban k e r you ca n b e
A lawy e r or a pr i e st ;
O r you ca n b e a m e r chant pr in c e
Th e ir work i s n ot th e l e a s t
I t mak e s no di ff e re n c e wh at you t ry
I f you would get th e b e st
Y ou l l h ave t o s ti ck t hat plough of you r s
D own de ep e r th an th e r e st
,
,
,
,
.
,
’
.
D on
t fawn up t o a noth e r m a n
An d b e g h i m f or a j ob ;
R e m e mb e r th at you r b r a in an d h i s
W e r e m a de by th e sa m e God
’
.
14
D A DDY S LOVE A ND O T H ER POEM S
’
it boys w ith al l your m ight
Wi th fa ith an d coura g e t oo
And j u st i fy tha t won drou s fa ith
Abe L in col n h ad in you
SO
us e
,
,
,
.
B A CK H O M E
.
gw in e ba ck ho m e t ol e V i r g i n n y
Amon g de m fi e l ds O b y e llow co rn
B a ck t o st ay with my L u c i n d y
D e s w e e t e st ga l dat e e r w a s born
I
’
’
se
,
,
'
,
’
.
com e up ye ah t P h i la de lphy
D ey tol d m e twa s s o b ig a n gra n
D at mon ey w a s m os t fr e e a s w at e r ;
D a t i t w a s k in t o f a h r y l an !
I
’
’
se
'
,
’
’
’
’
’
Ah cum b ut law s a m e a mi gh ty
D e s e w it e fok e s w u k m e n eah t de a f
D e y wuk m e wu k m e L or d b l i e v e m e
Ti l Ah s car ce l y know s m a h s e f
,
,
,
’
-
,
’
'
-
,
,
’
.
cour s e Ah mak e s a l i tt l e mon e y
B ut de n i t ai nt n o k i n e O b pay
Wh en you re ckon dat I m w u ki n
H a f de n it e a n a ll d e d a y
Of
,
,
’
’
’
.
,
,
’
D A DDY S LOVE A ND O T H ER POEM S
I s e gw i n e ba ck hom e t O l e V i r g i n n y
D own wh a r w e w u k s from sun t s un
H y e a h yo got d i s l e c t r i c li gh t i n
S o s yo can t t e ll wh e n yo s don e
’
’
’
’
’
’
’
'
’
’
’
.
gwin e straight b a ck t my L u c i n dy;
D e s e up noth gal s dey sh ur a m qu e e r
S e e m s la k t m e da t a l l dey t ink s bou t
I s pr e tty cloth e s a n d straight e n e d h a i r
1
’
’
se
’
,
’
.
Ge t dre s s e d all up in S k e e t e r n e tt in
Coul d put de r e whol e dr e s s in m ah mouth ;
Wi d r e d s il k s t o c k i n s h i gh h e e l s li ppa h s
I s e n eb e r s e e n si ch in de S ou f
,
’
,
’
.
I cl ar e dey look s good in d e parlor
All dan cin g pran cing ni gh t de f ;
B ut l aw s j u s t pu t de m in d e k it ch en !
I S p e cs dat I woul d s t a rve m a h s e f
’
’
,
.
D at
a int de way wid mah L u c i n d y
S h e sh uh aint mu ch w i d Y ank e e styl e
B ut wh en i t cum s t c ook i n ch i ck e n
Cin dy s u t t i n ly a m w u t h w il e
,
’
’
.
Wh en mah gal Cindy b ak s a pos su m
Wi d s w e e t a tat e r s roun h i s toe s
Wi d t urnip gr e en s b oi l d r i ce an d s i mon s
A h ll shuh f or g i t mah up n of woe s
’
’
,
’
,
’
.
16
’
D A DDY S LOVE A ND O T H ER PO EM S
TH E P E S S I M I S T A ND TH E O P T I M I S T
Sam
John son sai d th e oth e r
T o h i s wi fe M a ry Ann !
Ah dun no wh at w e s gwi n e t do
I s e dun no h ow t plan
,
“
’
’
’
’
’
,
’
.
“
Dese
t i m e s d ey 1 5 s o aw ful h ard
Ah can t fi n d wu k t do
T e a rn a bi t O b mon ey t
B uy br e a d f o m e an
’
,
’
,
’
"
’
Now S a m
’
s wa s j u st a s i mpl e ca s e
O f p e s s i mi st i c wo e ;
H i s ey e s w e r e full o f bu rn ing t e ar s
H i s h e art wa s b l e e din g s o
’
,
.
He
de a rly love d h i s M a ry Ann ;
B ut fai th wa s not h i s cr e e d ;
An d fa ith tha t i s th e th ing th at count s
Wh en w e a r e in r e al n e ed
,
.
l ook a h ye a h M i stah John son
Th e O pt im i st r ep li ed
S t rai ght en in g up h e r la rge phys iqu e
An d st epping t o h i s s ide
“
Now
,
,
,
,
aint no u s e t m oan a n groan
J e s cau s y ou h lu ck i s down ;
Good f o t u n n e b e r w il l cu m roun
T m ix up wi d dat frown !
“
D ah
’
’
’
’
’
’
’
18
.
,
”
,
.
D A DDY S LOVE A ND O T H ER POEM S
’
“
Cu m bright e n up dat c ou n t n a n c e
P u t on a w 1 n n 1 n s mil e
D e n sti ck you h h e ad up in d e a i b
An wa lk la k you b w u t h wh il e
’
,
’
,
,
’
“
pr e s s up de m ol e pant aloon s
D e wr inkl e s ou t dat coat ;
P u t on a c ol l a h an a t i e
An loo k la k y ou h ob not e
GO
,
’
,
.
“
den go out an git you h j ob
Y ou ll git i t ye s yo can
D a i h s somp u in yeah t e l l s m e so
”
Now go an b e a man
An
’
’
‘
,
’
’
,
’
’
,
’
.
Sam
w en t up to h i s l ittl e roo m
An d p ray e d and p re s s e d h i s cloth e s ;
And th en w e nt ou t an d got h i s j ob
Whi ch en de d al l h i s wo e s
.
TH E ONE I N S A B L E C L A D
.
.
Ame ri ca my count ry wondrou s gr a nd
O f fr e e dom on t h i s e a rth t h e c yn os u r e
Wh e r e down trod p e a sant s fro m th e for e i gn p l a i n s
And mounta in s fi nd th e 1 r happ in e s s a n d w e a lth
,
,
,
'
,
,
!
,
.
19
D A DDY S LOVE A ND O T H ER POE M S
’
Y ou r
win e p r e s s ove r fl ow s w ith n e cta r fi t
T o sooth e t h e palat e o f t h e a n ci e nt go ds ;
Gr e at pla in s an d fe rti l e v a ll eys br in g you gr a in
T o f e e d on e hal f e arth s va ri e d t rib e s of m en
-
-
,
’
-
.
M aj e s t i c
rive r s lak e s a nd sylv a n st r ea m s
An d mounta in torr e nt s t e e m w ith fi n n y t r ib e s
To sati s fy you r son s on fa st in g day s
Th e wh il e th e i r thou gh t s a s c en d b eyond t h e S ki e s
,
,
!
Y ou r
.
i rgin for e st s a r e a par adi s e
T O O gr a nd f o r e e n th e con cept of a man ;
To know th e i r glori e s h e would h ave t o stand
Abo ve b e low b e s i de at on ce e a ch t r e e
V
’
,
E a ch
,
,
,
,
ro ck e a ch gl en e a ch m o s sy cove re d cou ch
Th e myria d b irds b etw e e n th e e arth and sky
Th e st r e a m s th e pl ant s th e countl e s s bl ade s
gr a s s ;
An d st ill i t s my st i c l i fe s b eyon d h i s k en
-
,
,
,
,
,
,
’
.
Th e w i de worl d m a rve l s a t you r ch ar ity ;
Wh e r e p e st il e n c e or famin e st ri ve f or s way
Y our sh ip s g o lade n w ith th e i r p r e ciou s s tor e
Fr e e a s th e a i r to b a n i sh m i s e ry
,
I f a ll you r r e gal spl en dor should I l a ud
M y s i mpl e lay into a to m e woul d grow ;
And ye t I dr e ad I dr e a d Am e ri ca
L e st al l thy glori e s fade to m i s e ry !
,
,
,
20
,
,
of
D A DDY S L OVE A ND O T H ER P OEM S
’
m in e e a r th e r e com e s a dol e ful cry
a coward cringin g i n h i s fea r
a m an dep rave d for ch ar ity
s e e kin g thy fond love or sympathy ;
F or t o
Not of
Not o f
Nor
,
,
,
,
B ut o f thy s on th e on e i n s abl e cla d
W ho s e fat h e rs di e d in a l l thy fa r fam e d wa rs
Whose moth e r s w e t you r sa cr e d soil w ith t e a r s
Wh o i n you r God repos e d h i s faith ful love
!
'
-
,
.
h ea r hi s cry
Ti s j u st i c e th at I a sk
th e e my count ry gi ve m e th at I give
An d j u st i ce i s an att ribut e o f God
”
W ithhol d it not for I woul d s e e th e e l ive !
Oh
Of
’
,
,
,
,
,
E L E G Y TO D R B O O K E R T
.
.
W A S H I NGT O N
.
Com e forth y e faith ful ol d an d youn g
W h o from ol d Afr i c s blood h ave sp run g
An d be nd you r kn e e
,
,
,
’
.
An d pla ce th e mountai n l au r e l wr eath
U pon hi s b row n ow cold in de ath ;
An d drop a t e a r
,
,
U pon
th e bi e r o f th i s gre at gu ide
Wh o in our se rvi c e l ive d an d di e d
An d l e t u s mourn
,
.
21
,
,
D A DDY S LOVE A N D O T H ER POE M S
’
rar e i t i s in th i s l a t e d a y
Wh e n M a mmon s gil de d h a n d hol ds sway
T O fi n d a man
F or
’
,
Wh o labor s in t h e n igh t an d day
ca rve an d S h ow t o u s th e way
To high e r th in gs
To
.
Wa sh ington ou r fri en d an d gu ide
W e p ray th at t hou c om s t t o th e S ide
E a ch n igh t an d morn
Oh
,
,
,
’
,
h i m wh o put s thy mant l e O n
That h e m ay w e a r i t a s h i s own
For Afr i c s good
Of
’
.
Com e h ith e r m a ids an d s on s o f H a m
La y on h i s bi e r V i ctoriou s pa lm ;
”
w e ll don e
P ro clai m
,
“
.
,
“
An d s in g S w m g low sw e e t cha r iot
Thy s e rvi c e w e S h al l n e e r forge t ;
GO r e s t i n p e a c e
”
,
,
;
’
.
A F A L L E N P R I NCE
.
Th i s ode i s t o a prin c e o f m en
Th e gr a nde st O f th e gran d ;
Th e l ea de r of th e dar k S kinn e d r a ce
S o down t rod i n th i s l a nd
,
-
.
22
,
,
B orn i n th e d epth s o f S lave ry
With no p at e rna l h an d
To g ui de t h e foot st e p s o f h i s youth
Acro s s a frown ing land
,
.
He
form e d i n b oyhood in h i s m in d
Th e V i s i on of h i s li fe ;
H e vow e d t o l e ad h i s br eth r e n on
An d fi t th e m for th e i r st r i fe
,
.
on th e fi e l d o f ba tt l e wi th
Th e cannon and th e s pe a r
B ut wi th th e prun ing hook an d plough
An d fa ith t o con qu e r fe a r
Not
,
.
D own
i n th e bo w e l s o f th e e a rth
That took h i m
O l d H a mpton
O f Ge ne ra l
to
h is
goal
,
.
monu m e nt t o fam e
Ar m st ron g ;
Th e Al ma M at e r o f our kin g ;
Thy g l ory mu s t l i ve lon g
,
'
.
H e did n ot s in g th e Cla s si c so n gs
O f H om e r , ba rd o f Gre e c e ;
Nor h u m th e tun e s o f V irg i l s lyr e ;
’
,
’
D A DDY S LOVE A ND O T H ER POEM S
B ut y et w ithout th i s cla s s i c lor e
H e w on a do ctor s gown
Fro m H a rvar d with th e nat ion s chi e f
I n de a r ol d Cambr idge town
,
,
,
’
’
,
.
S O lowly w a s ou r h e ro s b irth
H e did not h ave a n am e ;
H e cho s e h i s own and by hi s
H e cove re d i t w ith fam e
’
,
gr i t
.
th at th e m en who love th e gr e at
Can t h e lp but fe e l forlorn
That B ooke r T p lu s Wa shin gton
A pr in c e o f m en i s gon e
So
’
,
.
,
,
,
.
A N A P P R EC I AT I O N
.
To
th
e
!
P e nn sylvan i a
Fr e e
Ci rculat in g
H om e Te a ch in g S o ci ety a n d
L ibra ry f or th e B l ind !
.
We r e it
not for th e ligh t th at you tu rn e d on
path
Wh e n th e clouds st rove t o h ide my way
M y l i fe mu st h ave en de d in dar kn e s s and n ight
W i thout hop e of a b righ t sunny day
,
,
.
24
,
Ah a s k e d mah sw e e t h e art L iza J an e
”
M ah hon ey ma rry m e ?
I f you w i l l mo v e to t own
S h e sa id
Wha r w e c an h appy b e
Ah s ey s Ah lub s yo de e d I do
B ut i f my W i fe yo d b e
Y O got t stay h y e a h wha r yo To m
Can sh ak e dat S i mmon t r e e
,
“
,
“
,
.
“
’
’
,
,
’
,
’
’
’
,
’
.
Dat
s al l rit e bout you h wat ah m ilon
Ch i cken or you h h a m
O r turk ey la k d e w it e fok e s e t e
O r l ittl e b aby l a m ;
B ut hon ey i f it s pu ah d el i t e
D at you h would fe e d to m e
J e st l e t m e wh e n de po s su m s r ip e
Go sha ke dat s immon t r e e
’
’
,
’
’
,
,
,
,
’
’
,
,
’
.
I
want s t go t h ebin
An lay mah t roub l e s down
T S i t up on dat p e arly thron e
A n w e a h a st arry crown
B ut i f it s m il k an hon ey dat
D ey s gwin e t fee d t m e
Ah pr a ys d at Ah migh t stay right
An shak e dat si mmon t r e e
’
’
s u t t i n ly
’
,
’
’
.
’
’
’
’
'
’
’
.
26
,
D A DDY S LO VE A ND O T H E R P OEM S
TH E L A K E S TA L E
’
.
I sat an d ponde r e d on e fa i r day
B e s ide a mo s sy de ll
O n Natu r e an d h e r my st i c plan
O f doin g all t hin gs w e ll
,
,
.
Th e S c en e beh e ld I som e t i m e s cal l
Th e fai re s t S pot on e arth
J u st s uch a s n atu r e might have though t
uit
e
fi
t
f
r
Ada
m
s
bi
rth
o
!
’
.
F or E de n
s ca rc e ly coul d have b e e n
M or e gra nd than that ol d val e
W h e r e I c om m u n m g w ith th e la ke
Imbibe d th i s fai ry ta l e
,
,
.
Twa s wh e r e a moun tai n an d a s t re a m
H ad cro s s e d ea ch oth e r s way
An d in t h e i r str i fe h a d bui lt a la k e
M or e gran d than pla ci d b ay
‘
’
,
.
It s mi rror e d fa c e wa s s e ldom m a r re d
S ave by th e spe ckl ed t rout
Wh i ch in th e i r sport ive moods would from
Th e cry sta l de p th s boun d out
,
,
.
wh e n som e fl e e t a quat i c bir d
B oun d northwa r d in th e S pring
Coul d n ot r e s i st t hi s t e mpt in g ch a n c e
To r e s t it s w e a ry w in g
Or
,
,
.
27
Th e h e ave n s e ve n grand er s e e m e d
R e fl e ct e d in it s sh e en
Th e t r e e s to s en d a lo ft and down
Th e i r crown s o f ve r dur e gr e en
,
.
B ut I did n ot propo s e t o t e ll
It s b e auty in deta il
S O now I l l l e t th e lak e r e ve a l
I t s l ege n dary tal e
,
’
.
Twa s countl e s s ce nturi e s ago
I w a s a t iny s t r e a m
Win din g my w ay th rough m ea dow l an d
To k e e p i t fre sh an d gr e en
’
,
,
-
.
An d h eade d a lways towa r d th e s e a
Th e goa l of all my t r ib e
Tho n ot in h a st e for I mu ch love d
Th e ve rdur e by my s ide
,
,
.
U nt i l
I found a cros s my way
An d tow e r in g t o th e S ky
A mount ain t al l an d wondrou s gran d
Wh i ch in st e rn voi ce di d cry
,
!
Ahoy ahoy you t iny r i ll
S top th e r e I say an d di e
P M I m th e monar ch of th i s land
”
An d non e da r e m e de fy
“
,
,
,
,
,
,
’
.
1?
.
,
,
D A DDY S LOV E A ND O TH E R POEM S
’
I s imply r e st e d wh e r e I w a s
K ep t on my fa c e a s mi l e
M ade love t o e ve ry sp e ck of de w
An d ra indrop s did b e gui l e
,
,
-
.
U nt il
th ey form e d th em s e lve s i n cl an s
An d ru sh e d to m e 1 n gl e e
An d took my vow that w e would fi n d
A way to r e a ch th e s e a
,
.
Twa s th u s I gr e w from day t o day
And cl i mb e d th at m ou n t a I n S Ld e
Wh il e holdin g faith th at I woul d re a ch
Th e o cea n s m igh ty t i de
’
,
,
’
.
I di d not r e a ch it i n a y ea r
In twa in n or a d e c a d e ;
I t took m e c entu r i e s or m or e
To k e ep th e vow I made
,
\
,
At l a st on e b r i ght an d s unny d a y
That foll ow e d on t h e ra in
Whi ch m e lt ed snow on m ou n t a m s i de
I n v a ll ey a n d on plain
,
,
I foun d mys e l f s o s woll en
As to r e a ch t h e mountain s br i n k
An d s en d a t iny l ittl e str e a m
A s c ou t i n g t h rough a C h ink
’
’
.
29
,
,
A ND
D A D DY S LOVE
’
‘
OTH E R
B ut
a s it r e a ch e d th e fu rth e r s ide
And fe ll off int o spa ce
Ala s i t form e d but m i st 1 11 a 1 r
W h i ch s e e m e d t o m e di sgra c e !
,
,
,
h ow I labor e d n igh t a n d day
To m a k e th at c r e vi c e gr o w
U n ti l th e gray ro ck f e l l away
L ik e s a n d o r sh i ftin g snow
Oh
,
.
W i th pow e r ev e r growing
B y th e wat e r s i n my wak e
I t umbl e d o e r t ha t mount a in s ide
An d made it roa r a n d quak e
,
’
.
I wor e and ca rve d away it s s ton e
An d made i t p art of m e
To for m th e s e fal l s wh i ch p eopl e com e
A t hou san d m il e s t o s e e
,
.
E P H RA I M S P H I L OS OP H Y
’
.
Wh en ebe r t roubl e com e s your way
An clouds a m hangin low
D a r e a in t no u s e t o doubl e i t
By c r yi n bout yo woe
’
’
.
’
’
.
,
D A DDY S LOVE A ND O T H ER POEM S
’
Wa l k s q u a h up to de g e n n a m u n
An look i m in d e eye
D e n s a y Y o na sty di rty t ramp
Y o got to git or di e
’
’
,
“
,
,
,
”
’
.
D on t
Y ou
low dat y ou h can fool wi d h im
s e g ot t o h a ve d e s a n
F O i f h e fin ds you r e S hort on t rump s
H e ll s u t t i n ly ca ll you h h an
’
’
,
’
’
’
’
’
’
.
An e f yo fin dat h e s too bi g
To c huc k out t roo de d o
Y O b e t t a h hab s om e ph ilo sophy
S t u ck s om e w h a r in yo s t o
’
’
’
’
'
,
’
’
.
i ed a doze n k in e s
An wh at a h fi nds de b e s
I S j u s t k e ep a s unny s m i l e
An t ru s G od f o d e r e s
M ah s ef
1
,
’
se
tr
’
,
’
’
’
’
E P H RA I M S K I S S
’
.
R
D e d o c t a h s ays Avoi d de
D a t i t a m fu l O b bu gs
ki s s
“
,
’
,
An dat yuh cont i n day s mu st b e
J e s hon ey ta l k a n hugs
’
’
’
’
.
31
D a t d oc t ah man mu s t b e a
D e wu s t I s e eb e r s e e n ;
fool
-
.
.
’
A fe l lah s n oth in but a mul e
D at wouldn t k i s s h i s qu e en
’
’
-
’
.
An i f a k i s s a m fu ll ob b ugs
D e k in e dat youb can t s e e
J e s cu m ri gh t lon g m ah h on ey
An fe e d youb bugs to m e
’
-
,
’
,
’
,
’
.
C O NS O L AT I O N
.
expounde d by E ph ra i m at t h e fun e ra l c e r e
mony o f h i s b e love d fr i en d D ea con Jon e s !
.
Whi l s t w e a h c r y i n a n a m oa n i n
An d e b e ll s a m toll in lo
S in ging songs s o sa d a n m oa n f u h
M a kin foot st ep s k in a slow
’
’
’
’
’
,
’
’
’
,
’
’
,
’
’
,
be ll s a m loudly tunin
In d e lan b eyon de sky
An de an ge l s sw e etly s i nging
H a ll eluj ah ! up on h igh
Ch r i s t e n i n
’
’
’
’
,
’
’
'
,
.
D at
s de law O f di s cre at ion
Wh en y o s d on gon l e f di s e arth
I f y o s don e som e ri gh t eou s l ib in
U p i n h eb en dar s a b e rth
’
,
’
’
’
’
’
’
’
.
32
D A DDY S LOVE A ND O T H ER POEM S
’
S O NG O F TH E T O I L E R S
Here
.
s t o th e man b eh in d th e plough
Wh o plant s th e s e e d and w e l l know s how
T o m a k e i t sprout an d bloom an d grow
An d t u rn t o br e a d in t i m e o f snow
’
,
.
Here
s t o th e ma n who plays a tun e
U pon th e anvil morn an d noon
An d mak e s th e i ron rough an d col d
M o re u s e ful fa r tha n S h in in g gol d
’
,
,
,
Here
,
.
s t o th e ma n w ith s igh t s o k e e n
W 11 0 vi e w s th e log ou t in th e s t r e a m
An d s e e s in it a cott age gran d
Th e n fa shion s i t w ith h i s t rain e d h and
’
,
,
,
Here
s to th e man who h e w s th e s ton e
Who p ride s h i m s e l f 0 11 work w e l l don e
Who cut s h i s bre ad from ou t t h e ro ck
That blo ck s t h e way o f com mon stock
H e re
’
,
s to th e dam e wh o s it s an d s e ws
An d ro ck s th e cra dl e w i th h e r to e s
S in gs to h e r bab e a lullaby
Ale r t f or hu sban d s e ve n in g cry
’
,
,
’
.
Ti s j oy t o ea t th e cru st o f b r e ad
W 0 11 by th e t oil of h an d or h e ad
And drink w ith i t th e cup of m ea d
In wh ich th e r e i s no gra ft nor gre ed
’
34
.
,
.
.
’
D A DDY S LOVE A ND O T H ER POEM S
M AH C H OC L AT D R O P
’
.
i n lub wi d a sw e et litt l e c h o c la t drop
S h e s brown a s S h e can b e ;
H e r lob ly s pa kli n fe a tur e s
Twoul d do yo good t s e e
I
’
’
se
’
’
’
’
’
’
.
Hur
ha ih
I t s bla ck a s de r a b e n s w in g
Wid oh s i ch a lob ly curl
D a t s e e m s t t w i s r it e roun ma h ea rt
An ma k it a pa r t O b dat gurl
’
’
,
,
’
’
’
’
’
.
H ur
ey e s !
D a i h brown a s d e h az e l n ut
D ey S pa kl e S O brigh t a n fi n e
D at e b e r e y t i me ah l uk s int de m
Ah says yo mu s b e m in e
,
’
’
,
’
’
’
.
Hur
lips !
D a i h s h ape d lak de cup id s b o
D a i h r e d a s de b l oom i n ros e ;
To pr e s s e m wi d a fond fond k i s s
Am de g r e a t e s j oy I know s
’
’
,
’
,
’
.
Hur
t e eth
!
j i s t a s puh an w i t e
’
D ai h
AS
’
de fl ow r s dat s h e lob s be st ;
D e r e de l ily ob de Val l ey
An S h e w ea r s de m on hur br e a st
’
,
’
35
.
Hur
s m il e !
I t s b r i t a s de s u n sh in e
D at cu m s ri t e a f t a h de r ain
An fi ll s mah h ea rt w id gl adn e s s
An ta k s way al l de pain
’
’
,
’
’
’
.
Hur
voi c e !
I t s sw e e t a s d e n i gh tinga l e s
S ingin w a y up in d e t r e e
Ca llin h i s mat e i n de springt i m e
”
S ayin
D a rl in cum lub m e
’
’
,
’
,
’
“
’
,
’
-
.
,
H ur
for m !
I t s ta ll an plump an roun
Ah don know how t t e ll i t
B ut it s e e m s t cal l m ah a rm s ri t e round
An i t s h eb e n wh en ah f e e l s i t
’
’
’
’
,
,
,
’
’
,
’
’
’
,
’
.
Y ou know dat som e fok e s l ak s m in t can dy
’
’
J i s t cau s e i t a m S O w it e ;
’
B ut mah c h oc l a t e drop a m de on ly k in
D a t gib s mah pur d e li t e
.
A D R E A M O F P E A CE
.
lon g h ow lon g
G ra ci ou s God
W il t Thou p e rmit th es e n at ion s vi l e
T o dra g th e n am e o f Th in e own S on
D own in th e dit c h wh e r e gor e doth run ?
H ow
,
,
36
,
Th e coun t r i e s fan ne d by Alp in e b r ee z e
P r et end t hey follow in th e wa k e
O f H i m w h o gav e H i s l if e for p ea c e
An d that ou r s in s Th ou S houldst r e l e a s e
,
.
And ye t th ey spa r e n o e arthly powe r
In ca rnage e ve n wors e than h e ll
To s lay and dra g e a ch oth e r down
An d vow Ch ri st J e s u s l e ads th e m on
,
.
Th e Te nto n w ith h i s wondrou s sk il l
And ma mon s knowl edge cr 1 e s aloud
D i e W elt g e h or t z u m i r un d Got t ;
And thu s th e d oor s on p e a c e h ath shut
-
,
’
,
”
“
,
Th e I s lan d E mp r e s s O f th e de ep
O n wh os e fa i r brow s u n n e ve r s e t s
P ro clai m s th e right t o Neptun e s th ron e
”
B e lon gs t o m e an d G od alon e
,
“
’
‘
,
.
“
R e venge
F o r that ,
r e ven ge t i s swe e t t o me
and to re cla i m my own
”
I fi gh t and M on D i e u l e ads m e o n
’
,
,
,
.
Th e E a s t ern be ar of mong r e l b re ed
Whos e w i l l i s s lave ry f or th e crowd
P ro cla im s
M y w ill i s tha t O f H eave n
An d m in e th e p owe r wh i c h God h a th given
,
,
“
.
,
37
”
.
D AD D Y S L OVE A ND O T H ER POEM S
’
And y e t t hy S on i n Geth s e man e
B et ray e d i nt o th e han ds o f foe s
S ai d unt o P et e r
S h e ath e thy sword
”
An d t ru st a lon e th e gr a c e of God
,
,
“
,
,
.
L IF E S LO V E S
’
.
At b i rt h th e r e s th e lov e o f moth e r
L i k e i n ce n s e sw e e t an d pu r e
A love lik e wh i ch th e r e s non e oth e r
Th rough l i fe it w i ll en dur e
’
,
’
.
In chi l dh ood th e love of play mat e s
I s fl e e t in g an d not ve ry s t ron g ;
For i t s ca lle d upon by s o many
Th at i t s e ldo m la st s ve ry lon g
-
’
,
.
Th e love of b roth e r s an d S i st e r s
S o m e t im e s i s ve ry t ru e ;
B ut don t b e su rp ri se d i f it s b rok e n
B y e ith e r th e m or you
,
’
,
.
com e s th e love o f swe eth e art s
It burn s with a ruddy glow
B e su r e th at it i sn t pa s sion ;
I f it i s tw ill turn t o woe
N ow
,
’
’
.
Th e love of wi f e a n d h u sband
Wh e n t ru e i s a th in g div i n e ;
,
,
38
,
D A DDY S LOVE A ND OT H ER POEM S
’
I p ray that it may e nt e r
An d mak e you r li fe s ub l im e
.
Th en th e r e s a love ca ll e d fri e ndsh ip
To whi ch t h e r e ar e many cla im s
B ut wh e n s i ft e d to th e bottom
Th e re r e main f e w pr e ciou s gra in s
’
,
,
.
Wh e n th e love s o f yout h h av e van i sh ed
you r fri ends li e n e ath th e s od
Th e r e i s st i l l on e love re ma inin g
won de r ful love of God
’
,
.
S P I R IT GU ID E S
.
S p ir it s
tw a in t h ey li gh t my w a y
Thr ough th e night an d in th e day
Wat ch ing o e r me a l l th e t i m e ;
I wa s th e i r dar lin g th ey w e r e m m e !
I S p ea k of w i fe an d mot h e r
,
’
,
.
Fath e r too ha s gon e b e for e
Wa it in g in s ide H e ave n s door ;
Wa it in g for h i s fi r s t born s on
To t ak e m e wh e n li fe s wor k i s don e ;
To s e e my w i fe and moth e r
,
,
,
’
-
’
.
39
,
TH E C O L O NE L S S O L I L O ! U Y
’
'
Who too k m e wh e n a t iny b ab e
Ju st from my moth e r s womb
An d h e l d m e to h e r loving br ea st
An d wh i sp e r e d s w e e t a t un e ?
Tw a s my bla c k m am my
.
,
’
,
,
’
.
W ho
w rapp e d m e up in s wa ddl in g cloth e s
With t en de r nat ive s ki ll
As th ough I w a s h e r ve ry l i f e
T o k e ep m e from a ch ill ?
Twa s my bla ck ma m my
,
,
,
’
.
Wh o n ur s ed m e a t h e r w e l l fi ll e d pap s
A S bla c k a s ebony
Wh il e h e r ow n ch i ld drank m il k from cow s
In lon e ly r e ve ri e ?
Tw a s my bla ck mam my
-
,
,
’
.
Who b ath e d m e w ith s u ch t e nde r c a r e
Al l th rough my ch ild h ood days
An d love d to comb my gol den ha ir
I n al l th e p r e tty ways ?
Twa s my bla ck m a m my
,
’
.
Who sh e d th e large st b itt e r t ea r s
An d fe l t th e k e e n e st pa in
Wh e n I l e ft hom e for ba ttl e fi e lds
To k e ep h e r in my na m e ?
M y O l d bla c k ma m my
,
,
.
40
,
,
D A DDY S LOVE A ND O T H ER P OEM S
’
I s cann e d w e ll it s color b e a ut i ful r e d
Wh i ch t old of th e blood ou r S aviour hath S h ed
I not i c e d it s p e ta l s pla ce d i n cu rve d li n e
W hi ch told o f th e orde r o f al l th ings divin e
,
,
.
,
,
.
Th a t t hough th ey w e r e da in ty an d fra i l a s th e a i r
Th ey live d by th e ir fa ith kn e w n oth ing of f ea r ;
Th at e a ch on e wa s sw e e t e st t o i t s ow n mat e
Ne e r de al in g i n j e alou sy e nvy n or h at e
,
,
,
’
.
,
Th e
Ye t
Th e
Th e
st e m w a s qu it e plai n 1 11 color and form
i t and th e a st e r we r e boun d int o on e
r e a son i t s b e a uty s e e m e d p e r fe ct to m e
a st e r you kn ow i s from vanity fre e
,
.
,
,
.
,
t h i s i s th e story I gl e an e d from that fl ow e r
S tan d forth in your glory th i s m inut e th i s hour
H av e fa ith i n th e l aw and th e orde r divin e
Ge t ri d O f a ll fea r an d n eve r r epin e
SO
!
,
,
,
.
sw e e t e s t t o thos e who dwe l l by your si de
Th e n f or t h i s worl d you w il l b e a gr ea t guide ;
R e m e mb e r th e color o f th e r e d a st e r
S tands for th e blood t hat wa s sh e d by th e M a st e r
Be
,
,
,
42
.
’
D A DDY S LOVE A ND O T H ER P OEM S
TE ACH B Y E ! A M P L E
.
R e m e mb e r
you r boy ove r fl ow s w ith de si r e
A longing t hat som e day h e l l b e li ke h i s p a
And you can t expe ct h im t o cl imb up mu ch high e r
In moral s or S p irit s th an j u st wh e r e you a r e
’
,
’
.
R e m e mbe r
th e ch i ld on you r kn e e ha s de cide d
That som e day hi s br eath wi ll sm e ll j u st l ik e h i s
dad s
An d i f it i s fl a vor e d w ith gin or w ith co ff e e
Y ou ll soon fi n d th e odor i n that o f th e lad s
’
,
,
’
’
.
R e m e mbe r th e langua ge wh i ch you h ave b e e n
I s sw e e t e r than mu si c t o j uven il e e ar s ,
An d soon you w ill h ea r in th e voi ce of you r
u s in g
s cion
Y ou r son g or you r cu r s e s you r oath s or you r
praye r s
,
‘
,
.
R e me mb e r
dea r moth e r wh en B obbi e in form s you
Th e gro ce r h a s made a m i st ak e i n th e coun t ;
U n le s s you r eturn i t you ll fi n d in th e futu r e
H e s ba ck o f a wal l wh i ch h e cannot su rmount
,
,
,
’
’
.
R e m e mb e r good woman ,
’
O f s canda l and s a y i t s
if
a nd go s s i p
s o common t o day
Y ou r daugh t e r i s l ik e ly t o t re ad in th e foot pr int s
O f th a t horr i d cr eatur e j u st ove r t h e way
,
y ou
sit
-
,
,
-
,
.
Th e pa re nt s S hou ld l e ad an d t h e ch i ldre n S hould
follow
Th e pathway th at s b la z e d by th e i r m a or t h e i r
,
’
D3 ;
An d you can t expe ct th e m to cli mb up much high e r
I n moral s o r sp i rit s th an j u st wh e r e you a r e
’
.
L E TT E R TO H E L E N
.
Y our
l et t e r I re ce ive d my de a r
I t fi ll ed m e fu l l of sw e e te st ch e e r ;
I m p rou d t o l e a rn of your su cc e s s
I fe e l a s t hough w e both a r e bl e s t
K e e p a t it darl in g up a nd on
M a st e r s mal l t hings ge t th e brawn ;
Th en w h e n th e gr e at on e s you shal l t ry
Th ey l l b ow to you r t rain e d h an d an d eye
,
,
,
’
,
.
,
,
,
,
’
Gladys an d I rvin both a r e w e ll ;
I v e many t h ings I d l ik e t o t e ll
B ut i f I put th e m a l l i n rhym e
I t su r e ly woul d t a k e too m u ch t i m e ;
S o on anoth e r page you l l fi nd
S om e n ew s I hop e w i ll p l e a s e you r m ind
.
’
’
,
,
’
,
L ove
to Ida an d M r s Cook e
I thank th e m for th e pain s th ey took
To l ea d you i n th e prop e r way ;
God wi l l pay th e m s om e fi n e day
.
,
.
44
.
D A DDY S L OVE A ND O TH E R POEM S
’
M i s s H a rri s
m u s t b e qu it e a dea r
I m ve ry gla d you have h e r n e a r
Good n ight my de a r a k i s s or two ;
A p raye r that G od tak e ca r e of you ;
Good ni gh t again my l ove s o t ru e
From you r fath e r I W U
’
.
-
,
,
-
,
,
,
.
.
H E L EN
.
H e l en
th e da rl ing of my h e ar t ;
H ow s a d I a m s in c e w e r e a part
I thought you b u t a dai n ty g 1 r l
O f s impl e gra ce with ch es tnu t curl
B ut oh y ou a r e t h e world t o m e ;
Naught sh all exi s t t i ll y ou I s e e
B e good b e t ru e b e faith ful too
I s fath e r s daily praye r for you
,
’
.
,
,
,
.
.
,
,
’
.
H OM E
Wh at i s h om e ?
It i s not a pala ce o f marb l e gra n d
Nor i s it a cotta ge bui lt by your h an d ;
It i s n e ith e r a stat e ly h ou s e of b ri ck
Nor bui lt o f ston e w it h w a ll s qu it e th i ck
,
,
45
.
,
’
D A DDY S LOVE A ND O T H ER P OEM S
H om e i s a pl a c e wh e r e hu sban d
A r e l i v i n g a happy p e a ce ful l i fe
and wi fe
,
u r round e d by ch i ldr e n boys an d girl s ;
B y boys full of m i s ch i e f a n d gi rl s w ith curl s
Wi th lot s o f prank s an d pl enty o f fun
Wh e r e som e t im e s m oth e r i s quit e outdon e
Wi th th e worry th e car e a nd al l th e wor k
Y e t n ot on e pa rt o f i t woul d S h e S h irk
S
,
.
,
,
.
Wh a t i s hom e ?
I t i s not a country man sion fi n e
With go rgeou s pa rk s an d fi e ld s s ubli m e ;
It i s not th e vi lla o f th e r i ch
Nor i s it t h e hove l ba ck on th e dit ch
,
.
H om e
i s a pl a c e full of j oy an d car e ;
O f s m il e s an d sor row s m ingl e d w ith p raye r ;
Wh e r e fath e r plays w ith h i s boys a n d gi rl s ;
Ti ckl in g th e i r fe e t an d pul lin g th e i r curl s
Wh e r e on o cca s ion h e s st e rn and c ro s s ;
! Ta k e a way e ven t ha t twould b e a lo s s !
Wh e r e a ll of i t s m e mb e r s a r e thank ful t o God
An d t ry for t h e path way J e su s t rod
.
’
’
.
TH E TRA M P O R TH E P R I E S T ?
W h il e
s trolli ng on e d a y on th e boul e va rd
I s a w a n a uto tw a s ra cin g h a rd ;
I t st ru ck a wom a n ; a sh ri e k a c ry ;
An d lo ! th e poor soul wa s r e ady t o di e
’
,
,
.
46
,
,
’
D A DDY S LOVE A ND O T H ER P OEM S
A p ri e s t wa s s t andin g n e a rby on th e curb
H i s blood mu st h ave frozen h e n e ve r st irr e d
A t ramp w a s s e at e d upon a b en ch
H e m ade an expre s sion p e rh ap s twa s Fre n ch
,
.
,
,
’
,
ru sh e d t o th e woman an d ca rr i e d h e r off
To a hou s e on th e corn e r h i s tou ch wa s soft
I won de r i f God show s H i s m e r cy t o m e
Whi ch on e o f tho s e m e n i n h e ave n I l l s e e ?
He
.
,
,
,
’
,
,
S A M A ND TH E P E A C H
’
Twa s pay day on th e suga r pi e r
For b rawny son s o f H am ;
”
Cu m on sa id S am I l l buy a drink
”
From la ndlord P a t M C a n n
!
“
“
’
’
,
’
.
,
Th ey fi l e d i n th rough t h e ba r room doo r
In sh abby workin g garb
E a ch laden with h i s w e e kly pay
F or wh i ch th ey work e d so h ard
-
,
.
P h wat
“
w ill
”
h ave ? inqu ir e d P a t
”
Good s t r a 1 g h t ol e gin sa id th ey !
And e a ch man pour e d h i s l iquor ou t
Th e i r spi r it s blyth e an d gay
“
ye z
,
.
Th en qua ff ed i t a ft e r j olly toa st
T o landlord P at M C a n n
’
,
,
47
;
,
.
,
D A DDY S L OV E A ND O T H E R
’
“
h i m dat t ru s t s u s t ou r dr i n k
”
T ou r b e s fr i e nd a m an !
T
’
’
,
’
’
,
It wa s t h e cu stom of t ha t crow d
To drop m o s t o f th e i r p a y
Int o t h e co ffe r s of M C a n n ;
Th ey kn ew n o b ett e r way
"
.
th at day B i d dy w i fe O f P a t
H a d s e t upon t h e bar
A di sh o f p e a ch e s larg e an d fi n e
J u st pur ch a s e d a t th e door
On
,
,
,
,
.
S am
t ook a p e a ch and b it i t too ;
”
Y e b l a g a r d roar e d t h e da m e
Th e li k e s 0 y e t o sta l e th e p a ch
”
I ve j i s bough t for m e ba i rn
,
“
’
,
“
’
’
’
’
.
I f i t b e p a ch e s y e w ud at e
S hu re a t e th i m i n ye r h om e ;
Not st al e th i m from ye r b ett e r s
”
Wh en y e a r e n t buyin n on e
“
’
’
,
,
’
’
.
H e r an gry word s
L i k e fi e ry da rt s
pi e r ce d th rou gh
of s t e e l ;
Th e y h e ld a p i ct ur e t o hi s e ye s
L i k e movi e s fro m a r e el
'
S am
.
In
shor t mom e nt S am h ad s e e n
Th e sorrow of h i s w i fe
Th e n ak e dn e s s an d h unge r i n
H i s l ittl e ch ildr e n s l i fe
on e
,
,
’
.
48
’
s h e a rt
'
’
D A DDY S LOVE A ND O T H ER P OEM S
t d e sw e e t gu r l graduat e ;
H ur a n d e hou s e al l de corat e ;
M or n i n glori e s ovah d e doah
D a i si e s a n p in i e s on d e fl oa h ;
M a gnol ia blo s som s i n h e r h a ih
R o s e s b loom i n e ve ry w h a i h
H ye a h
’
s
’
’
’
,
’
,
’
.
t de sw e e t gu rl gra duat e ;
F e e d h e r on ch i ck e n i c e cr ea m cak e
S t rawbe rri e s fru it of e b e r y k ind
Wat ah mi llion fr e sh from d e vin e ;
Gin h e r what eb e r s h e lak d e b e s
D e n s h a i h de l eb e n s tw e e n d e r e s
H ye a h
’
s
’
,
,
,
,
,
,
’
’
’
.
t de s we e t gu rl gr a duat e ;
J e s l e t da t mu s i c syn cop at e ;
P u t c h a i h s an d tab l e s out de ro om
K e ep th e m banj o s r in gin in ch un e
D en wat ch h e r dan c e d e t urk ey t rot
D e maxi e an de ol e gavott e
H ye a h
’
s
’
’
,
’
,
,
’
.
t d e sw e e t gu rl gra duat e ;
L aw s how s h e dan c e an d s ci nt il lat e
D i s de h appy day O b h e r li fe
Ah spe c s sh e l l soon b e su m un s wi fe
I I e r dad an ma m de y dan c e an d p rat e
M it e thin k dat d ey j e st graduat e ;
H y e a h s t de sw e e t gur l graduat e ;
H ye a h
’
s
’
,
,
,
’
’
.
’
’
’
50
D A DDY S LOVE A ND O T H ER PO E M S
’
S O L ITU D E
sol itude wh e r e i s t h e s ting
Tha t m e n a s crib e to th e e ?
Wh e r e i s th e t e rror in thy mi e n ?
I look bu t cannot s e e
Oh
,
,
,
.
,
Wh e r e h ide s t thou th a t lon el in e s s
Th e worl d pr et e nds t o f ea r ?
Wh i l e lyin g on thy lovin g b r e a st
I fi nd my sw e et e s t ch e e r
,
.
Th e y d o n ot un de r st a nd th e e n o
Th ey a r e but k nave s or fool s
O r el s e th ey mu st di s ce rn i n th e e
D a m e Natu r e s que e n o f s chool s
,
,
,
’
.
i n thy car e with naugh t but book s
Th e ba rds and sain ts o f old
B e com e my f ri e n ds an d to min e e a r
Th e ir myst i c t ruth s un fold
F or
,
,
,
.
Wh en probl em s and p e rpl exiti e s
O f l i fe b e cloud my mind
I know in th e e oh sol itude
Th e an sw e r I can fi nd
,
,
,
,
.
Wh e n gri e f and sorrow c rowd my h e ar t
To bre a kin g with th e i r fea r s
With in thy ar m s oh solitude
I fi nd r e li e f in t ea r s
,
,
,
,
.
51
D AD DY S! LOVE A ND O T H ER P OE MS
’
’
An d wh e n I w e a r y of th e world s
D e ce it s an d ca r e s a n d s t ri fe
I fi nd i n th e e s we et r e st an d p e a ce
An d vi gor ou s n ew l i fe
’
,
.
My
ga rden n e ve r i s compl et e
W ithou t a bloom ing ro s e
Nor i s my l i f e O h sol itu de
W ithou t t hy s w e e t r epo s e
,
,
,
,
.
S E E K I NG J O Y
E lu s i ve
Fa m e I cou rt th e e not
F o r wh at thou h a st t o give ;
B ut th a t my lady fa i r may know
Th rough th e e f or h e r I l ive
,
,
.
,
,
To S how I m worthy sh e should t ru s t
H e r h e a rt and h an d t o m e
I n love I s e e k my hi gh e st j oy
An d not S i r Fa m e i n t h e e
’
,
,
,
,
.
,
I f y e would t o th e e h e i gh t s atta in
K e ep ploddin g wh e n it s e e m s in va in
S m i lin g wh en t h e r e s cau s e f or t e a r s
M ak e fa ith th e m a st e r o f you r fe a r s
’
,
,
,
52
.
,
’
D A DD Y S LOVE A ND O TH ER
’
P OEM S
Tr e mbling sh e stan ds upon th e brin k
Th e p r e C 1 p 1 c e of l if e ;
B eh ind h e r book s a nd toy s an d j oy
Ah ea d th e r e s car e an d st ri f e
,
,
,
’
.
,
B eh ind h e r fath e r moth e r de a r
To guide h e r day by day ;
Ah e ad t h e r e s n o se e n han d t o st e e r
H e r o e r li fe s storm to s s e d bay
,
,
’
,
’
’
-
.
Wha t i f h e r dainty l itt l e fe e t
S hould mak e on e e rr ing st e p !
Ah ! e ve ry pathw a y t o th e ro s e
I s by th e thorn s b e s et
‘
.
.
di smaye d swe et d ebutant e
With al l li fe s t rying car e s
F o r th e re s a n U n s e e n H and t o guide
Y ou th rough th e com in g y ea r s
Be
n ot
,
,
’
,
’
.
I f you w ill only t ru st t o i t
Y ou r car e s wi l l turn to j oy ;
Wit h faith th e st r i fe o f li fe w ill b e
P ur e gold without a l loy
,
,
.
53
’
D A DDY S LOVE A ND O T H ER POEM S
TO YO U NG G I R L S
H av e
you e ve r t r ie d t o sta r t a fi r e
Wit h cha r re d or ha l f burn e d co a l
A n d foun d i t du ll a n d voi d o f l i fe
L i k e m an w ithou t a soul ?
O r e l s e p e rhap s t o bu i ld a gown
Fro m robe s of day s of yor e
An d foun d i t woul d not s tand th e t e st
L i k e n ew goods from th e s tor e ?
-
,
,
J u st s o i s th e man o f rip e r ye a r s
Who sp en t h i s youth in sin
Wh o n ow b e de ck e d i n ra i m ent ra r e
A youth ful ma id would w in
H i s love i s li k e th e h al f bu rn e d coal
Th e rob e of day s O f ol d
Th e fi r e gon e ou t your gown i n r a g s
H a s l e ft you ba r e a n d cold
,
.
-
,
,
,
.
A U NT S A L LY
PAR T I
!
.
S P R I NG
Th e e ve n ing sun wa s s ink in g towa rd th e W e st
It s gl ea ming ray s sh on e b right on mount ai n cre st
All n a t ur e s e e m e d subl im e ly gr a nd an d s ti l l
As I s a t in t h e sh a dow of t h e mi ll
,
.
54
,
D A D D Y 8 LOVE A ND O T H ER P OE M S
’
Th e r e d o f ro s e and i vy s lu st rou s gre e n
M a de ble a k gre y wa ll s t o bl en d with natu re s sce ne
Th e bl ue bir ds fl i tt in g h e r e and th e r e on win g
Told i n th e i r song th e j oyou sn e s s o f spr ing
’
’
,
.
Th e s t r ea m t ha t tu rn e d th e pon d r ou s wat e r wh e el
Though l iqu i d s e e m e d to ha ve th e st r en gth o f st e e l
Tran s mitt e d to t he s low r e volvin g ston e s
It groun d th e corn t o m ea l for V illa ge hom e s
-
,
.
Th e spe ckl e d t rout i mbue d with j oy o f sprin g
And e mulat in g b ird s out on th e w ing
Fro m cry sta l dept h s wou ld boun d t o out e r ai r
An d th us in spr ingti m e s b eauty own a sha r e
,
’
.
Th e lowing h e rd ca m e w inding up th e de ll
With c lou gh i n g hoo f and tinkling o f th e i r be ll
T o m e e t t h e milkma i d w ith h e r shin in g pa il
Whos e spr ingt i me s ong r e sounde d th rough th e va le
,
Th e l ilac s sp re a d th e i r fragran t pu rpl e h az e
Acros s th e fi e lds now gr e e n w ith growin g ma i ze
Th e odor of th e h on eysu ckle vin e
S pr ea d broadca st it s swe e t me s sage o f springt im e
.
,
.
Th e robin with h i s ruddy b rea st of gold
S kipp e d o e r th e gra s s and from t h e t r e e top s told
Th e st ory de a r t o e ve ry human h ea rt
H ow h e wa s of th e j oyou s sp ring a part
’
.
55
D A DDY S LOVE A ND O T H ER P OEM S
’
Th e or i ol e up i n th e h i gh e s t t r e e
Wi t h co a t o f b r i ght e st cri m son ful l o f gl e e
Tol d of t h e p a s s in g wi nt e r a n d de c a y
Th e n san g a gorge ou s rh a p sody to M ay
,
,
,
.
Th e lar k wh i l e so a r in g twixt th e e a rth a nd s ky
S ang ou t t o m e n in l iqu i d n ot e s an d h igh
”
I f thou would st h ave thy h ea lth a g a in s a id h e
”
Com e ba ck to n at ur e from th e c ity fl e e
’
.
“
’
,
,
“
.
,
Th e sp e ckl e d h en s h e too ha th playe d h e r p a rt
To g 1 v e th e j oyou s sprin g a worthy st a rt
Tw e lve sph e r e s o f whi t e w ith pa ti en t w a r m t h s h e
w rought
To downy c r ea tur e s now h e r con st a nt thought
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
Th ey fol low e d h e r w h e r e e e r s h e s crat ch e d th e
e a rth
With e a ge r li fe an d j oyou sn e s s a n d m i rth
Wh e re e e r a wor m un fol de d i n i t s la i r
Tw e lve downy p e epy ch i cki e s t h ey w e r e t h e r e
’
,
’
,
,
.
,
Th i s s ce n e wa s la i d a m idst th e mount ain s blu e
A pa rt of S ch uylki ll V all ey s gorgeou s V i ew
Ne a rby a l itt l e V il l a ge in a gl en
L on g S i n c e th e hom e O f hon e st work in g m en
,
’
,
.
Th ey t oo w e r e fi l le d w ith m e s s a ge s O f sp r i n g
M ade wh it e th ei r f en c e s wall s a n d e ve rything
Th a t t o th e eye th e b ett e r m igh t a pp e a r
For h a v i n g h a d a co a t of l i m e e a ch y ea r
,
,
,
.
56
D A DDY S L OVE A ND O TH E R P O E M S
’
woodman and a s hunt e r bra ve a n d bold
And th i s t h e s to r y a s t o m e h e told !
As
,
P AR T
II
.
Aun t S a lly wh e n a m a ide n youn g a nd f a i r
Wa s t all of s tat ur e crown e d w ith da rk brown ha i r
Wh i ch lay in w a ve s and ringle t s o e r h e r br ow
I t s e e m s t o m e th a t I ca n s e e h e r now
’
,
.
ch e e k s we r e pl ump a n d of a ch e stnut b rown
I n e ve r kn e w h e r on ce to w ea r a frown
H e r eye s app ea r e d to m e l i ke molt e n coa l
And t h ey w e r e t ruly window s o f h e r soul
H er
,
,
Wh i ch lay b e n e a th a s pu r e a s ought cou ld b e
! Than k h ea ven f or it s infl u en ce on m e !
What k ept m e in th e st r a igh t and nar row w a y ?
Twa s th inking o f sw e e t S a lly day by day
,
.
’
.
Now S ally
wa s i n t ruth D a m e Natu r e s ch ild
S tron g a s a n ant l e r e d buck ou t in th e wi ld
And ye t w ith al a s ge ntl e a s a lamb
”
S h e call e d h e rs e l f Th e l itt l e fr i en d t o man
’
,
,
,
,
,
“
.
I ve s e e n h e r
With h i ckory
Th e n broi l it
I f h e w e r e i ll
’
l i ft a t rout from tu mbling brook
wand an d pl a i n e st lin e an d hook
to a t u r n on woodman s fi r e
su ch wor k i t woul d I nsp i r e
,
’
,
,
.
58
,
D A DDY S L OVE A ND O T H ER P OEM S
’
I saw h e r drop a qua i l wh il e on t h e w ing
With r i fl e shot an d th e n in raptur e s ing
”
Ti s sin to ki ll w ith myriad ba ll s of l ea d
”
Give e ve ry cre atu r e chanc e f or l ife s h e s a id
,
,
“’
.
“
,
.
She
kn e w th e root s and h e r b s on h il l and de l l
A n d with th e m made both m a n and i n f a nt w e ll
S h e kn ew th e thi n g t o do f or e ve ry il l
An d looke d a skan ce upon th e do ctor s p i ll
’
.
She
b r e w e d a bal sam from th e b a rk an d l e av e s
Th e buds a nd be r ri e s of th e fo r e s t t r e e s
An d mingle d w ith i t lot s of hum a n love
I t h e al ed a s t hou gh twe r e s e nt fro m h e a v e n a bo v e
,
,
,
’
She
’
.
ha d a sp ring n e a r by h e r cott a ge door
Twa s shade d by a gia nt syca mor e
”
It s c rysta l aqua sa id a n ol d l e ge n d
”
H a d pow e r r h e u m a t 1 c j om t s an d li mb s t o m end
“
,
,
’
,
“
,
.
Th i s t a l e I v e h e a rd th e vil lage ch ildr e n t e l l
A un t S ally b r o u ght al l babi e s from thi s w e ll
And st a ye d with th e m a fortni ght j u s t to S how
Th e moth e r s h ow to mak e th e babi e s grow
’
,
,
,
.
W h en e
e r th e y m e t h e r on th e vi llage s t r e e t
”
Aunt ie w a s th e wo r d h e r e a r would gre e t ;
No ma tt e r w e r e th ey wh it e or bl a ck or b r ow n
”
“
To all sh e w a s t h e Aunti e of t h e t ow n
’
“
,
.
,
59
W h e n e e r a me mbe r o f t h e V i ll age c l an
W a s c a ll ed t o j oi n t h e growin g carav an
Th a t t r a v e l s tow a r d s th e gat e o f p a r a di s e
Aun t S a lly w e n t a n d m a d e h i m l ook qu it e n i ce
’
,
,
,
I love d t h i s gi r l w ith love you s eldo m s e e
I t ri e d my b e st t o bi n d h e r soul to m e
B ut sh e po s s e s s e d a d i fi e r e n t poin t of V ie w
An d ye t with a l I th in k sh e l ove d m e t oo
,
,
‘
“
She
.
,
,
t old m e I m th e l i tt l e fri en d t o ma n
And I m u s t fol l ow in that sa c r e d plan
”
We r e I you r wi fe i s wh a t s h e sai d t o m e
”
“
Th e fri en d t o a l l m en I coul d n eve r b e
’
,
,
,
,
.
,
She
l ive d h e r l i fe o f four s cor e ye ar s an d t h r e e
An d th e n w e la id h e r n e a t h yon w i l low t re e
A n d o n h e r t omb wh e r e gent l e b r ee z e s f a n
I c a r ve d t h e s e word s Aunt S a lly Fr i e n d of
-
’
,
“
,
,
WI NT E R TO
'
D id
S PR I NG
I r e m e mbe r th a t my ha ir i s gr ey
With o n l y a f r inge o f it l e ft
I d fol l ow you r foot st e p s from w e e br ea k of
Till n igh t w a s o f moon l i ght be r e f t
n ot
,
’
-
.
60
.
Y o u r eye s won drou s fountain s of j oy an d o f youth
R e m ind
m e of days long s in c e flown
M y s we eth ea rt I l e d t o th e alt a r of t ruth
B ut th en th e gay spr in g w a s my ow n
,
,
,
.
w i nt e r ha s c ome w ith i t s s now and it s w i n d
A n d m ade m e a s ba r e a s i t s t r e e s
O h y e s I s ti l l love but i t s only i n min d
F or I m f a st g r owi n g w e a k a t t h e kn e e s
Now
,
,
,
,
’
.
Y o u r voi ce i s a s sw e e t a s th e s o n g of a b i rd
Y ou r m ann e r s a r e thos e o f th e f a wn
I dre a m o f you d a rl in g oh p a rdon th a t wor d
From t wili gh t t o br e ak i n g of d a wn
,
,
!
,
,
,
,
,
.
Y our
n a m e i n th i s m i s s ive you l l s e a rch for i n va i n
Nor m i n e a t th e fi n i s I l l fl i n g
F o r wint e r mu st su ff e r th e bli s s a n d t h e p a in
In s e cr e t for lov i ng th e spr i ng
’
’
,
,
TO TH E CO L O R E D S O L D I E RS
long e n d ur ing m e n of ebo n h u e
Tho u gh h e l d i n bond a ge n ig h t hr e e hundr e d ye a rs
Th e wh i l e you w e t th e soi l w ith b l ood an d t e a r s
Y ou k ept t h e fai th t o man an d God w e re t ru e ;
At la s t Colu mbia s bugl e c a l l e d f or yo u
B ut not unti l h e r h ea r t w a s ful l of fea r
L e s t fr e e d om s d a ugh t e r soon sh oul d fi n d h e r b i e r
Oh
,
,
,
,
,
’
,
,
’
,
’
D A DDY S LOVE A ND O TH E R P OEM S
As unj u st nat i on s a l l a r e wont t o do
Arr a ye d i n blu e w ith mu s k et s i n you r h an d
Y ou fough t lik e de mon s fo r R e d Wh i t e a n d B lu e
At Ge ttysbu rg a nd down in D i ! i e lan d
At W a gn e r a n d a la s a t P i llow too
Wh e r e l ib e rty w a s st r e n gth en e d by your ha n d
Wh i ch h e lp e d t h e n a t i on fre e it s e l f an d you
.
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
TH E VO I CE OF TH E Y M C A
.
.
H ear
.
.
m e m en ! I a m a foundry
B u i lt t o b u i l d a manly clan
D oin g qu it e a high grad e bu si n e s s
B y a l it tl e fou r fold plan
,
,
-
-
.
Fi r st I tak e th e h u ma n body
Cl e a n s e it wi th my sp r a y an d pool
In my gym I gi v e i t cul tu r e
As w e do th e mi n d i n s ch ool
,
,
,
.
By
my s ch e m e o f da ily pr a ct ic e
B odi e s grow i n s t re ngth a n d form
Ti l l t h ey m a k e a cla s s o f dwe ll in gs
S oul s could n e ve r de i gn t o s corn
.
S e condly
fi n d g r e a t pl e a sur e
Workin g w ith th e pla st i c mind
B r ingin g t o i t s e e ds o f w i sdom
F r o m th e b e s t o f h uman k i n d
,
I
.
62
,
,
D A DDY S LOVE A ND O T H ER P OEM S
’
Th rough my forum by my l e ctur e s
In my S unday m e et ings t oo
F or t h e worldly I a m s ea r ching
E ve ry day f or s om e th in g n ew
,
,
,
,
,
.
M y b e l i e f i s wh e n r e l igion s
M ad e to fi t our daily n e ed
’
,
,
Worldy folk s wi l l l e arn to love it
And t o h e lp u s p l a nt it s s e e d
.
Th i rd I ve solve d th e social proble m
B y th e s impl e Chr i st ian plan
Car in g l e s s f or your pro fe s sion
Th a n t o know you a re a man
’
,
,
,
.
I n my h all s th e m e r chant port e r
B e ll boy d octor lawye r too
Cl e rk m e cha n i c ba rd mu s i cian
Gladly shak e and t al k w i th you
,
,
,
-
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
Th u s you s e e t h e m e nt a l m a st e r
H e lps th e fe l low dow n be low
An d th e man w h o h e lp s an oth e r
I s th e sur e s t on e t o grow
,
.
Fou rth ly com e s my spi ri t cultu r e
That I m in gl e with th e r e st
S ingin g praye r an d S cript ur e r ea di n g
To my m e et in gs l en d a z e s t
,
,
,
.
D A DDY S LOVE A ND O T H ER P OE M S
’
A n d I t e a ch by wo r d a n d a ct i on
Th at th e man I de e m wo rt h w h il e
I s th e on e who follow s J e su s
D o e s h i s work a n d w e a r s a sm il e
,
.
F a th e r b ri n g you r s on and j oin m e
Na m e you r club Y M C A
H aving s on in club w ith d a ddy
Gua ra nt e e s h e w i l l not st ra y
,
.
.
.
,
.
.
TH E M I ND
Wh a t a fount a in o f p erp e tu a l j oy
To a woma n a man a girl o r a boy
I s th e gr e at hum a n m ind wh e n o n c e th ey know
J ust h ow t o ma k e th a t gr e a t fo u n t a i n flow
,
,
,
,
.
the bin din g l ink twixt th e m a n d t h e i r God
I f pr e a ch in g s e rmon s or t oa t i n g th e h od
I f diggi n g th e cl a y or c a rving th e ston e
I t s th rough t h e gr e a t mind th e wor k i s don e
It
’
s
,
,
,
’
.
,
I f my fri end th e M u s e bide w it h m e to da y
An d w i s dom w i ll st ay an d t ea ch m e th e way
I ll t ry w ith my clum sy p en to p ort r a y
J us t how t o mak e th a t gr e at fount a i n pl a y
’
,
’
,
.
64
,
,
’
D A DDY S LOVE A ND O T H ER P OEM S
Ti s t ru e th e s kyla rk s so n g i s bl ith e a n d sw e et
Th e wh il e h e frol i c s i n th e sun li t a i r
Nor o ft e n h e a r w e rh ap sody compl e t e
A s com e s fro m n i ght ingal e s s e l f ch os e n l a i r
B ut thou a sl ave though gi l de d b e t hy ba r s
No r r oom t o spr e a d n or t ry thy fragil e w in g
D epr i ve d o f for e st s u n thy m at e a n d s tar s
Compe l th e worl d t o li st e n wh il e you s ing
’
’
,
,
’
-
,
.
,
’
,
,
.
t e l l t o m e th at I m ay t e l l to man
Th e phi lo soph i c mu s in gs o f thy b ra in
U n fol d fo r m e thy won drou s mys t i c pla n
That I may s ing wh en I h ave cau s e for pa in
I s it b e ca u s e thy fa i t h i s fr e e from doubt
O r tha t t hou l ive st only f or th e e now
And l e ave t o God t hat man would fi gu r e out ?
O h t e ll m e b i rdi e t e l l m e t e l l m e how
Oh
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
CO NS TA NT C OU RA G E CO N! U E R S
Con stan t coura ge conqu e rs al l th in gs
B e not fa in t h e a rt in l i fe s fr a y ;
G ird you r loin s an d gra sp your v is ion
Forwa rd mar ch in g day by day
,
’
.
Con st ant coura ge conqu e r s e nvy
J e alou sy or fea r or hat e
Ta k e i t a s yo u r b oon compan ion
T a ke i t now e r e i t s t oo l a t e
.
,
’
.
,
66
,
.
’
D A DDY S LOVE A ND O T H ER P OEM S
Cons tant courage conqu e rs failur e
H ol d it fa st w he n in th e depth s ;
I t wil l e ve n sooth e thy sor r ow
I t w il l ban i sh v a in r e gr e t s
,
,
,
.
Con stan t coura ge conqu e r s cowa rds
Though th ey b e o f giant fram e
Con stan t co u rage a s you r w ea pon
V i cto ry mu st crown you r na m e
,
,
.
Con st a n t co u r a ge conqu e r s a l l thin gs
With it you can s ca l e th e h e ight s
Till you ve r e a ch e d th e h igh e s t tow e r
Winn ing fo r you r ra c e th e i r r igh t s
,
,
,
’
.
Cou rage courage con stan t cour a ge
O h y e sta lwa rt so n s of H a m
Gi rd your loin s a n d hol d you r vi sion
Con stant cou ra ge mak e s a man !
,
,
,
,
,
,
G I V E US M E N
Give u s m e n
M e n who ar e
who ar e
W h o w ill n ot
,
i s th e cry of th e ra c e ;
abl e t o fi ll h igh pla ce ;
s tron g cou ra geou s and bo l d
s e l l ma nh ood f or fi lthy gol d
,
67
,
,
.
,
’
D A DDY S LOVE A ND O T H ER POEM S
Gi ve u s m e n ; th ey r e t h e n e e d o f t h e ra c e ;
M e n who can l e ad u s to hi gh e st pla ce
M en who wou ld rath e r di e than s t eal
B ri m ful o f honor d e vot ion an d z e a l
’
,
,
,
.
Give u s m e n i s th e p raye r of th e r a c e ;
M e n who k e ep m oral s in h igh e st pla ce
M e n wh o di sdai n la s ci viou s s i n
W h o k e ep th e m s e lve s cl ean w ith out a n d w ith in
,
,
,
Give u s m e n i s th e call of th e day
M e n who a r e wi ll ing t o work and pray
M e n wh o w il l sta r t an d S how u s th e way
O nwa rd and up wa r d t o b ett e r day
.
,
,
,
.
Gi ve u s m e n i s th e n at ion s call ;
M e n who a r e abl e t o i n spi r e a ll
M e n who a r e fe arl e s s t o sp e a k th e t ruth
Who d e s e rv e t o b e follow e d by our youth
’
,
.
Gi ve u s m e n w ith th e cla rion v oi c e
To r ea ch th e th ron e o f h e avenly gra ce
An d cal l t h e pow e r of G od fro m on h i gh
W h o w ill stan d by th e t ruth e e n though t h e y
,
,
,
’
Wh en you t r e a t you r li fe a s you d o th e ros e
Fa il in g th e thorn s t o s e e
Y ou ll fi nd i t full o f love an d j oy
And gr i e f and car e w il l fl e e
,
’
,
.
68
,
D A D D Y S LOVE A ND O TH E R P OE M S
’
L A M E NTAT I O NS O F A H E N
”
“
Cluck clu ck clu ck sa i d th e old yel low h en
A S s h e s cratch e d in t h e barn yar d dun g
An d ru ffl e d h e r fe ath e r s in n e rvou s s tra in
F o r th e love an d th e ca r e of h e r young
I can t unde r st an d th i s gre at ra c e of m en
Th ey p rat e o f t h e i r w i sdom a n d lore
And ye t wh e n t h e laur e l o r t rophy th ey give
”
I ge t not a t ith e of th e i r s tor e
,
,
,
,
-
.
“
’
,
.
”
Clu ck C lu ck C lu ck s h e un cove r s a worm
B ut l e ave s it for som e o f h e r b rood
”
For sa crifi ce sa cr ifi ce ca ckl e s th e h en
I s th e duty o f moth e rhood
I r e ckon two th irds o f th e days o f th e ye a r
I g 1 v e t o my own e r a n e gg
An d ye t I m i n dr e ad wh e n I cluck i n th e S prin g
”
I l l b e dipp e d in a w ate ry k e g
“
,
,
,
,
“
,
,
,
“
.
-
,
,
’
,
’
.
”
“
Clu ck clu ck clu ck cal l e d th e h e n from h e r n e st
M i d s omb r e an d de solat e g l oom
Th r e e w e e k s i n t h e su mm e r I su ffe r th i s s tr a in
With ch an ce s of de ath a s my doom
Wh e n t rava il i s ove r my brood al mo st grown
H e artbrok e n I m c e rta in t o b e
Fo r out com e s th e fa r m e r an d says t o h i s son
”
S e nd a l l o ff t o ma rk e t but m e
,
,
,
,
“
.
,
,
’
,
,
‘
’
.
69
,
l oo k s up t o th e a i r
An d s m g s o f th e e a gl e t h e k nown fo e o f m a n
O r th e l ar k wh o s e on e s ong i s s o fa ir
F orgetting t h e e gg wh i ch f or br eak f a st I g a ve
Th e pu l l e t f or lun ch e o n I ve give n
P e r chan c e e e n th e pot p i e h e din e s o n t o n igh t
Wi ll h ave s ent my poo r soul t o it s he a v e n
”
Cluck c lu ck clu ck
Of
a bi r d
,
he
!
,
,
.
,
,
,
’
,
,
’
!
,
,
H e l l i s bui l t
H e a ven i s
.
,
good in t ention s ;
made o f th ings w e d o ;
H el l i s godly i ncli nat ion s
H e a ve n
t h e m th rough
on
,
.
70
D A DDY S
L O V E A ND
’
O T H ER
A U TOB I O G RA P H Y
In
P e nn sylvan ia ,
I wa s bo rn
M ay e ight e en sixty e igh t
Amon g t h e B l u e R idge mount a in p e a k s
Th e e a s t e nd of th e S tat e ;
O f pa r e nt s hon e s t pla in a n d t ru e ;
Y et with thi s p r id e pos s e s s ed
T o s a y t h ey e arn e d th e i r b r ea d by toi l
And th e i r w a y wa s th e b e st
-
,
,
,
,
,
.
I w ent to s choo l t i ll quit e a lad
Ju st on e yea r fr om th i rt e en
I th e n w ent on th e boat w ith dad
To dr ive h i s th r e e mul e t e a m
B oth up an d down th e ol d t ow pat h
I t ramp e d by n ight an d day ;
Though but a boy n ot ove r st ron g
I e arn e d a workman s pay
.
,
.
-
-
,
,
’
.
71
DA DDY S
’
O T H E R P OE M S
L OV E A ND
At l a s t t h e r a i lro ad ta gge d my j ob
G on e with th e th ings of yor e ;
I t h e n w e nt down to ! u ak e r Tow n
As boyhood day s w e r e o e r
”
“
M y bl e s s ings on th e e sai d my d a d ;
”
“
B e good my fi r s t born son
W a s moth e r s t e nde r b le s s in g a s
H e r t e a r s o e r ch e e k s di d run
,
’
.
,
-
,
,
’
,
’
.
Li ke
J i mmy Garfi e ld on Tow path
I st a rt e d my ca r e e r ;
B ut h e w a s wh it e an d I w a s bl a ck
Th e di ff e r e n c e i s cle a r ;
H e cl i mb e d into a rul e r s t h r o n e
I st ood b eh ind a cha i r ;
B ut I w il l n ot comp la in dea r fr i e nds
I l e a rn e d som e th in gs wh il e th e r e
-
,
,
’
,
,
.
s in g a s on g or two
To ea s e th e wo e s o f man
I l l d i e cont e nt th a t I h ave do n e
A p itt an c e i n God s plan ;
B ut pray that God w i ll h a s t e th e d a y
That man w il l change a ll th a t
F or B obbi e B urn s t h e ba r d h a s sa i d
“
”
A m a n s a man f or a th a t
If
I can
,
’
’
,
,
,
,
,
’
’
.
72
,
L O V E A ND
D A DDY S
’
O TH E R POEM S
I s t a ye d a t hom e b ut di d n o t g r o a n
Nor hol d my hands a n d w e ep ;
I wa sh e d th e di sh e s m a de t h e be ds
I e ve n l ea rn e d to s w e ep
I s crubb e d th e k it ch en an d t h e front
I wa s th e l aundry man
D id eve ryth ing abo u t th e ho u s e
To k e ep i t sp i ck a nd sp a n
,
,
.
,
!
,
.
I d ge t th e ch i ldr e n off t o s c h oo l
An d h a ve th e m do th e i r p a r t
O f al l th e chor e s a bou t th e hou s e
To mak e th e m st rong an d s mart
I d h e lp th e m w ith t h e ir l e s son s too
Tha t wa s a boo n t o m e
For m a ny t h in gs I h a d forgot
I n ow can cl e a rly s e e
’
.
’
,
,
,
.
D on
t thin k my li f e wa s alw a ys s moo t h
I t s e ldo m i s for you ;
I bump e d my h e ad an d s cr a t ch e d my f a c e
An d t u mb l e d o v e r t oo
A w a sh tub ful l of di r t y cloth e s
P inn e d m e upon th e floor ;
I s crambl e d fl ou n d e r e d slu sh e d abou t
U nt i l I t h r e w i t o e r
’
,
.
,
-
,
,
,
,
’
.
74
D A DDY S L OVE
’
A ND
OTH E R P O E M S
B ut h e r e I a m s t ra igh t th r o u gh i t a l l
Th i s ta l e i s n ot t o brag
B ut j u st to save s ome sto rm to s s e d sou l
From ship w re ck on a crag
Now cam e my li fe s mos t b i tt e r blow
M y da rl ing ha d a c a l l
To pa s s on to a hi ghe r sph e r e
S h e we nt an d l e ft u s all !
’
-
-
.
’
,
,
Th e a ngu i sh sorrow gri e f a n d p a in
O f my th r e e ba i rn s and m e !
I a lmos t qu e st ion e d why our L ord
S hould su ffe r th i s t o be !
B ut st i ll w e t ru st e d t o H i s h an d
To l e a d u s t h rough th e v a l e
O f sor r ow angui sh g r i e f a n d p a i n
To j oy b eyon d th e i r p a l e !
,
,
,
My
,
daught e r both got j ob s
Th e tal e i s sw e e t to t e ll
O f h ow th ey pl a y th e 1 r m a j or p a rt s
Th ey do it b r a ve a nd w e l l
F or s i ! long ye a r s th ey ve e a rn e d ou r br e ad
S o ch e e r fully a nd fre e
M y younge st d a ugh te r goe s t o s c hool
A n d work s a t hom e with m e
s on
a nd
,
,
,
.
’
,
,
.
75
,
DA DDY S LOVE A ND O T H ER P OE M S
’
ye s th e ange l s h e lp e d u s t oo
I m e an tho s e h e r e on e a rth ;
S om e w i t h th e i r p r e s e nt s s om e w ith to il
An d som e s uppl i e d th e m irth
B ut n o I w ill not t e l l t h e i r na m e s
For t ha t m ight i nt e r f e r e
With bl e s s ings th at ou r F ath e r give s
Fo r s e cr e t s e rvi c e h e re
Oh ,
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
-
.
ye a r b e for e I lo st my s igh t
I los t my mot h e r de ar ;
At th at t i m e i t mo st b rok e my h e a r t
B ut now th at V i s ion s cl e ar
I m gl ad th at S h e did not r e m ai n
To s e e h e r da rl ing b oy
Gropin g hi s way th ro u gh t h i c kn i n g mi st s
Twould r ob h e r o f h e r j oy
On e
,
’
,
’
,
’
.
Th e fi r st ye a r I dw e lt in th e gloom
I l e arn e d t o r e a d aga in ;
Now th rough my fi nge r s n ot my eye s
I gl e an th e thought s o f m e n
”
From S criptur e an d th e t al e B e n H ur
I l ea rn e d mu ch H eb r e w lor e ;
S i r Wa lt e r S cott an d D i cken s ga v e
M e fr e e l y o f t h e i r stor e
,
,
.
“
.
76
’
L O V E A ND
D A DDY S
B ra ve
R ob e r t
O TH E R P OEM S
L ou i s S t even son !
ha d h i s t rou bl e s t oo
An d show s you how t o handl e th e m
I f e e r th ey com e to you
What I h ave r e ad b y Coun t Tol stoi
Ju s t wh et s my ap p e ti t e
To have h i s book s an d r e ad th e m o e r
Would b e a pu r e de l ight
He
,
,
’
.
,
’
.
th in g th at give s m e pl ea sur e i s
To h e a r G eor ge S myl ey r e ad
P a ul L au r e n c e D unbar s po e m s
Th ey r e food f or thought inde e d
R i ght h e r e I wi sh t o t e ll a drea m
I h ad of that gr e at b a rd ;
Twa s a ft e r h e ar in g S myle y r e a d
T h e wo r k of h i s old pa rd
On e
’
’
.
’
.
S le epl e s s
I l ay upon my cou ch
W e a r y an d i l l at e a s e ;
A s tron g de s i r e upon my m ind
W h i c h I coul d n o t a pp e a s e
,
,
.
77
’
D A DDY S LOVE A ND O T H ER POEM S
Tw a s t h i s t o r igh t th e wrongs o f m a n
To qu e ll h i s st ri f e a n d w a r ;
I n sh ort t o bu ild a B r oth e r hood
To l a s t for e v e rmor e
’
,
,
,
,
.
longe d t o h a ve th e man tl e a n d
Th e pow e r o f P au l D unb a r
Th a t I m igh t s in g a so n n e t gr a n d
To sp r e a d my thought s a f a r
W h en 10 ! P a u l L a u r e n c e ca m e t o m e
An d sa t a ga i n s t my kn ee ;
I s a w h i m i n my da rke n e d c e ll
As p la i n a s augh t could b e
I
,
.
,
,
,
.
And th i s i s wh at h e t o l d t o m e !
O u r M a s t e r h ea r d thy praye r
An d s e n t m e down t o say t o t h e e
That t h o u should s t n ot de sp a i r
“
Th a t I S h o ul d s in g a s ong t o th e e
O f fre e do m a nd o f love ;
I f i t i s fo l l owe d i t w i ll mak e
”
Th i s e a rth l ik e H e ave n above
"
,
,
’
.
,
.
P a ul wh i sp e re d i n my e a ge r e a r ,
“
P r a y s i n g i t e ve rywh e r e
To bu i l d th e B roth e r hood of M an
,
M u st
be
ou r
con s t a n t p raye r
”
.
T h e n sw e e t a n d low h e san g th i s song
O f f r e e dom a n d o f love ;
An d wh il e I pond e re d ove r i t
H e h i e d t o r e a l m s a bove
.
78
’
D A DDY S
B
L O VE
O T H ER P OEM S
A ND
“
Th e th in g ye n e e d i n th i s w ide wo rl d
I s love fro m man to man ;
Y e mu s t n ot l iv e for s e l f a lon e
F or family or cl an
L i ve fo r you r G od and f or you r s e l f
Y o u r n e ighbo r s h igh an d low ;
Th e n y e wil l fin d th e B roth e rhoo d
”
O f ma n wh e r e e e r y e go
,
.
,
’
.
K a t e D ougl a s
Wi ggin s work i s gr a nd
I d love to know h e r w e ll
Th e h e i gh t o f my a mb it ion I S
S w e e t ta l e s l ik e h e r s t o t e ll
”
H er
M r s Wiggs shoul d cu r e
bl ue s
O f any dow n ca s t man
T o fol low h e r ph ilo sophy
I s not a ha l f ba d plan
’
’
'
.
“
.
!
,
-
.
Th e l i fe o f H e l e n K e l le r
A n d h e r opt i m l s m t oo
S hould ma k e th e folk s who have th ei r s igh t
Ash a m e d of f e e l in g blu e ;
F ro m ! e i g l e r M a g a z m e 1 n B ra ill e
I ge t th e curr en t n ew s
An d a rt i cl e s qu it e up to da t e
L i ke b r i l l i an t m e n woul d ch oos e
,
,
.
79
D A DDY S LOVE A ND O T H ER P OEM S
’
“
U p F r om S l ave ry
”
by
R ead
B ook e r T
.
,
to m e by my s on
u
it
e
pla
inly
show
s
t
o
a
l
l
b
l
a
ck
m
e
n
!
What goo d wo r k can b e d on e
To r e a d D u B oi s or h e ar h i m sp e ak
R e move s th e fi nal doubt
O f N e gro capab il ity
To fi gur e a l l th in gs out
,
.
.
I know n o g r e a t e r pl ea sur e th a n
T o h ea r an a rt i s t pl ay
Th e V iol in or c e llo
O r th e pian o fort e
O u r ra gt i m e mu si c ha s i t s pl a c e
I t a lways move s my f e e t ;
W hi l e cla s s i c s tra in s e n ch an t my soul
Wh e n th ey a r e so ft and s w e e t
,
!
.
,
.
Th ey t e l l m e o f t h e sw e et e s t fl ow e r s
D e s crib e to m e t h e b i rds ;
Th e y a r e th e lan gu age o f th e h e a ve n s
Th e y n e e d n o oth e r wo rd s
B ut oh ! t o h e a r my br e th r e n s in g
Th e i r ol d plant at ion songs
Thi s s e nd s my t roubl e s off on w ings
I forget h uman w rongs
,
.
,
,
.
8O
A ND
’
D A DDY S L OVE
“
P lay
’
O
“
On
Mah
OTH ER P OE M S
”
de
S uann e R ib a h
”
K a i n t u c ky H om e ,
,
e l s e j e st lak dat
D at m e lody o you h ow n ;
M a h s ou l a m al l e n raptu r e d
Wh e n e r e you h tou ch d e m k eys
D a i h s noth in g e l s e l ak m u si c
D i s ol e ma n s sou l t p l e a s e
P l a y s u m p n s of an gent l e lak
O
’
su
mp
’
n
,
’
’
’
’
’
’
.
’
’
’
’
-
.
w a s j u st abo u t fou r ye a r s a go
M y daught e r s w e r e aw a y
M y s on wa s down t ow n a t h i s work
S o I w a s ho m e to st a y
I s a i d th i s th i n g w ill n e ve r do
I ll l e a rn a n e w t r i ck now
S o I s a w e d off an ol d b room s t i ck
An d st a rt e d l e a rn in g h ow
’
T
,
,
.
’
,
-
,
To w a l k t h e s t r e e t s al l by mys e l f
A n d n ow it s lot s of fun
To t a k e my s t i ck go s e e a f ri e nd
O r e l s e a n e rr a n d run
To go to l e ctur e s or to chu r ch
To m ak e m e s om ewh at fr e e
And not comp e l le d t o wai t a t hom e
F or fr i e nds to g o w it h m e
,
,
,
,
,
.
82
,
,
D A DDY S L OVE A ND O T H ER POE M S
’
I pa s s e d b e s ide th e s t re et on e d a y
A blind man s e l lin g broom s
I bo u ght on e cos t m e forty ce nt s
To k e ep my h eart in t un e ;
B ut th at wa s j u s t anoth e r s e e d
That blo s som e d forth and g r e w
F or sw e et e r fri e n dship th an Wi ll Crump s
I s what I s e ldom kn ew
,
,
!
’
.
He
th e ma n you r ea d about
O f Fourth S tr e e t Nationa l B an k
Who face d a de sp e ra do s bomb
F rom duty n e ve r sh rank
Wh en w i ll th i s co u nt ry bi g an d grand
R equ it e t h e Ne gro s love ?
O h God wh e n wi ll it unde r stan d
Th e r u l e of H e ave n ab ove ?
is
,
’
.
,
,
’
,
,
B oth
h e an d I ma k e it a point
To V I S i t al l th e blin d
An d t e ll th e m t h in gs w e th ink w i ll h e lp
Th e i r body and th e ir mind
E a ch w e e k I sp e nd an ho u r or two
W it h s i ghtl e s s M r s Wi ld
S h e rul e s th e mu s e an d t ak e s th e b e s t
J u st l ik e a naughty ch i ld
.
.
,
,
.
83
,
D A DDY S LO VE A ND O TH E R P OE M S
’
B ut
how I l ik e t o h e a r h e r r e a d
Th e fru i t o f h e r own br a in ;
I t m a k e s m e s e e th e f a ir e st flow e r s
Th e b i r d s a n d t r e e s a g a in
Al l sp a rk ling i n t h e b r igh t s un s h i n e
A t m orn in g w e t w ith dew
I s e e th e a nge l s fa ce s a n d
Th e l ove of H e a ve n too !
,
,
,
’
,
T i s b li s s t o h e a r h e r s i ng th e songs
O f h er K e nt u cky H om e
I n sw e et e st S outh e rn m e lody
J u s t s h e a n d I alon e
I thin k tha t s igh t wou ld spoil th i s j oy
F or th e n i t m ig h t not b e
Com mun ion o f p o e t i c soul s
I n sw e e t si mp li city !
’
,
P e rh a p s
,
my gre a t e s t b l e s sin g s i n c e
I ve dw e l t with in th e gloom
Wa s b e ing t a ugh t by M r M oo r e
To r ea d th e B ra ill e a n d M oon
Th ey a r e th e typ e s w e s ight l e s s folk s
Ca n w i t h ou r fi n ge r s r e a d ;
An d k e ep ou r m ind s r e f r e sh e d a n d fi ll e d
W ith wi s do m s p r e c i ou s s e e d
’
,
.
,
’
.
84
DADD Y S L O VE AND O TH E R P OEM S
’
To M r
.
W
J ame s
.
M oor e !
O h th e symp a th e t i c p a t i e n ce
O f ou r t e a ch e r , t ru e a n d k ind !
,
T h o u gh h e dwe ll s l ik e u s in da rk n e s s
B rings h i s sun sh ine t o ou r m in d !
K e ep s h i s Go sp e l l a mp a b u r n mg
H e lp ing s inn e r s fi n d t h e i r w a y
S pr e a ds hi s w i sdom a l l a bout h i m
F or th e s igh tl e s s e v e ry d ay
D o yo u know a h ig h e r c a lling
Th an t h a t follow e d by ou r fr i en d ?
H a s th i s world a man mor e worthy
With a li fe of h igh e r t re n d ?
Tho u gh h e be a r s n o lofty t itl e s
No h igh sounding gr a nd deg r e e
H e sha ll w e ar a crown i n Glory
Wi th t h e Gre a t D ivinity
,
“
-
,
’
,
.
,
,
-
,
,
,
.
D on
t th ink m y l i fe i s n a u g h t b ut j oy
O h c ould t h a t e ve r b e !
No t h e r e a re th i n gs t h a t c a u s e me p a i n
J u st l ittl e t h ings you s e e !
O n e of th e cau s e s of th i s p a i n
I s wh e n a m a n I ve love d
W a l k s st r a i ght w a y by my h u m bl e doo r
To th o s e h e th i n k s a bo v e
’
,
,
,
,
,
’
-
.
85
D A DD Y S L O V E A ND O T H ER P OE M S
’
“
Th e fr i e n d of yo r e Now dow n a n d out
To h i m I s a y T ak e ca r e
Th e cup of wor m wood an d of g a l l
”
Ca n t u rn j oy t o de sp a i r !
I t m a k e s m e f e e l l ik e h i de of sh ar k
To h e a r a do cto r s a y
G od s e n ds t o man a n oth e r s e n s e
”
W h e n H e t a k e s s igh t a way !
”
,
“
,
,
-
,
“
Th e th in g di s ce rn e d a mon g th e bl in d
I s by u s a l l po s s e s s e d
Th e t roubl e i s m e n do n ot t ra i n
Th e i r s en s e s f or th e b e st
B ut l i fe ye s l i fe i s fa r too sw e e t
To w a st e i t s pr e c iou s t i m e
Co mpi lin g th in gs t h at b e a r a st ing
Tw e r e s a cr il e ge i n rhym e
.
,
,
,
’
.
Th e r e r e oth e r th ings th a t I m igh t t e l l
As pa r t of my l i f e s t al e
To m ak e yo u l augh or b r in g th e t e ar s
B ut tha t woul d not ava i l ;
T o p rov e to you i t i s wo r th wh il e
Tha t w e S h oul d do ou r b e s t
Tho u gh fortun e s e e m s t o cru sh u s dow n
M u ch l ow e r th an th e r e s t
’
’
,
,
,
.
86
A d i eu my pa ti ent r e ade r who
H a s h e ar d m e t o th e e n d ;
I f you h ave fi ni sh e d w i t h t h i s boo k
P ray h an d it t o a f r ie n d
O r som eon e stunn e d b e n eath h i s load
In pa in or I n de sp ai r !
I t may p e r ch an ce r e vea l th at f a ith
conqu e r fe a r
ca r e
,
,
,
,
.
,