Page:Claude McKay Constab Ballads.djvu/17



’ beginnin’, flat-foot drill,

Larnin’ how fe mek right tu’n:

Tention! keep you’ han’s dem still,

Can’t you tek in dat a li’l?

Hearin’ all, but larnin’ none.

“But seems unno all do’n-ca’,

Won’t mek up you’ min’ fe larn;

Drill-instructor boun’ fe swea’,

Dealin’ wid you’ class all day,

Neber see such from A barn.

“Right tu’n, you damn’ bungo brut’!

Do it so, you mountain man;

Car’ behin’ de bluff lef’ foot,

Seems i’ frighten fe de boot!

Why you won’t keep do’n you’ han’?

“Shet you’ mout’! A wan’ no chat!

Fabour say you pick up nong,

Sence you nyamin’ Depôt fat

An’ ’top sleep ’pon so-so mat,

But A mean fe pull you’ tongue.