The Complete Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar/Protest

by Paul Laurence Dunbar

For works with similar titles, see Protest.

PROTEST

Who say my hea't ain't true to you?
   Dey bettah heish dey mouf.
I knows I loves you thoo an' thoo
   In watah time er drouf.
I wush dese people 'd stop dey talkin',
Don't mean no mo' dan chicken's squawkin':
I guess I knows which way I's walkin',
   I knows de norf f'om souf.

I does not love Elizy Brown,
   I guess I knows my min'.
You allus try to tek me down
   Wid evaht'ing you fin'.
Ef dese hyeah folks will keep on fillin'
Yo' haid wid nonsense, an' you's willin'
I bet some day dey 'll be a killin'
   Somewhaih along de line.

O' cose I buys de gal ice-cream,
   Whut else I gwine to do?
I knows jes' how de t'ing 'u'd seem
   Ef I 'd be sho't wid you.
On Sunday, you's at chu'ch a-shoutin',
Den all de week you go 'roun' poutin'—
I's mighty tiahed o' all dis doubtin',
   I tell you cause I's true.