Oh, the day has set me dreaming In a strange, half solemn way Of the feelings I experienced On another long past day,— Of the way my heart made music

I am the mother of sorrows, I am the ender of grief; I am the bud and the blossom, I am the late—falling leaf. I am thy priest and thy poet,

YOU kin talk about yer anthems An’ yer arias an’ sich, An’ yer modern choir—singin’ That you think so awful rich; But you orter heerd us youngsters

The Oriole sings in the greening… As if he were half—way waiting, The rosebuds peep from their hoods… Timid, and hesitating. The rain comes down in a torrent s…

LITTLE lady at de do’, W’y you stan’ dey knockin’? Nevah seen you ac’ befo’ In er way so shockin’. Don’ you know de sin it is

MAMMY’S in de kitchen, an’ de d… All de pickaninnies climb an’ tug… Gittin’ to de winder, stickin’ dah… Evah one ermong us des all nose an… 'Whut’s she cookin’, Isaac?' 'Whu…

Slow de night 's a—fallin’, An’ I hyeah de callin, Out erpon de lonesome hill; Soun’ is moughty dreary, Solemn—lak an’ skeery,

'Tis fine to play In the fragrant hay, And romp on the golden load; To ride old Jack To the barn and back,

When Phyllis sighs and from her e… The light dies out; my soul replie… With misery of deep—drawn breath, E’en as it were at war with death. When Phyllis smiles, her glance b…

THOUGH the winds be dank, And the sky be sober, And the grieving Day In a mantle gray Hath let her waiting maiden robe h…

Whut time 'd dat clock strike? Nine? No—eight; I didn’t think hit was so late. Aer chew! I must 'a’ got a cough, I raally b’lieve I did doze off—

Duck come switchin’ 'cross de lot Hi, oh, Miss Lady! Hurry up an’ hide de pot Hi, oh, Miss Lady! Duck’s a mighty 'spicious fowl,

A life was mine full of the close… Of many—voiced affairs. The world… Behind me, ever rolled a pregnant… A present came equipped with lore… Art, science, letters, in their tu…