Page:Negro poets and their poems (IA negropoetstheirp00kerl).pdf/138

Hoot owl in the hollow mopes with solemn mien.
⁠⁠⁠Birds have gone to rest
⁠⁠⁠In each tree-top nest;
Cotton fields a-shimmer flash forth silver-green.

⁠⁠⁠O’er the wild cane brake,
⁠⁠⁠Whip-poor-wills awake,
And they speak in tender voicings, Heart, of You.
⁠⁠⁠Answering my call,
⁠⁠⁠Through the leafy hall,
Telling how I’m waiting for your tripping, Sue.
⁠⁠⁠All the world is glad,
⁠⁠⁠Just because I’m mad.
Sense-bereft am I through my great love for you.

⁠⁠⁠Night is all a-smile,
⁠⁠⁠Happy all the while.
That is why my heart so filled with song o’erflows.
⁠⁠⁠I have tarried long,
⁠⁠⁠Lilting here my song.
And I’ll ever waiting be till life’s step slows.
⁠⁠⁠Come to me, my girl,
⁠⁠⁠Precious more than pearl,
I’ll be waiting for you where the grapevine grows.

⁠⁠⁠How my heart doth yearn,
⁠⁠⁠And with anguish burn,
Hungry for sweet pains awaked with your embrace.
⁠⁠⁠Starward goes my cry.
⁠⁠⁠Echo hears my sigh.
Heaven itself its pity at my plight shows trace.
⁠⁠⁠Parson waits to wed.
⁠⁠⁠Soon the nuptials said.
I’ve a rose-clad cottage reared for you to grace.