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1872–1906

SPRING FEVER

Paul Laurence Dunbar

Grass commence a-comin’ Thoo de thawin’ groun’, Evah bird dat whistles Keepin’ noise erroun’;

Cai n't sleep in de mo'nin’, Case befo’ it‘ s light Bluebird an’ de robin, Done begun to fight.

Bluebird sass de robin, Robin sass him back, Den de bluebird scol’ him ‘ Twell his face is black.

Would n’ min’ de quoilin’ All de mo'nin’ long, ‘ Cept it wakes me early, Case hit‘ s done in song.

Anybody wo'kin’ Wants to sleep ez late Ez de folks‘ ll‘ low him, An’ I wish to state

( Co'se dis ai n't to scattah, But‘ twix’ me an’ you ), I could stan’ de bedclothes, Kin’ o’ latah, too.

‘ T ai n't my natchul feelin’, Dis hyeah mopin’ spell. I stan's early risin’ Mos'ly moughty well;

But de ve'y minute, I feel Ap'il' s heat, Bless yo’ soul, de bedclothes Nevah seemed so sweet.

Mastah, he's a-scol'in’, Case de han's is slow, All de hosses balkin’, Jes’ cai n't mek‘ em go.

Don’ know whut's de mattah, Hit's a funny t'ing, Less'n hit‘ s de fevah Dat you gits in spring.

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SPRING FEVER · Paul Laurence Dunbar · Poetry Cove