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1872–1906

RELUCTANCE

Paul Laurence Dunbar

Will I have some mo’ dat pie? No, ma'am, thank-ee, dat is — I — Bettah quit daihin’ me. Dat ah pie look sutny good:

How‘ d you feel now ef I would? I don’ reckon dat I should; Bettah quit daihin’ me. Look hyeah, I gwine tell de truf,

Mine is sholy one sweet toof: Bettah quit daihin’ me. Yass'm, yass'm, dat's all right, I‘ s done tried to be perlite:

But dat pie‘ s a lakly sight, Wha‘ s de use o’ daihin’ me? My, yo’ lips is full an’ red, Do n't I wish you‘ d tu'n yo’ haid?

Bettah quit daihin’ me. Dat ai n't faih, now, honey chile, I‘ s gwine lose my sense erwhile Ef you des set daih an’ smile,

Bettah quit daihin’ me. Nuffin’ don’ look ha'f so fine Ez dem teef, deah, w'en dey shine: Bettah quit daihin’ me.

Now look hyeah, I tells you dis; I‘ ll give up all othah bliss Des to have one little kiss, Bettah quit daihin’ me.

Laws, I teks yo’ little han’, Ai n't it tendah? bless de lan’ — Bettah quit daihin’ me. I‘ s so lonesome by myse'f,

‘ D ai n't no fun in livin’ lef’; Dis hyeah life's ez dull ez def: Bettah quit daihin’ me. Why n't you tek yo’ han’ erway?

Yass, I‘ ll hol’ it: but I say Bettah quit daihin’ me. Holin’ han's is sholy fine. Seems lak dat‘ s de weddin’ sign.

Wish you‘ d say dat you‘ d be mine;— Dah you been daihin’ me.

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RELUCTANCE · Paul Laurence Dunbar · Poetry Cove