Page:Claude McKay Constab Ballads.djvu/20

16

An’ de sad, glad recollection

Brought a strange thrill to my soul,

’Memberin’ how his affection

Gave joy in a barren wul’:

As I thought then, my mind goin’

Back to mem’ries, oh! so dear,––

As I felt de burden growin’,

Jes’ so shall I write it here.

We were once more on de drill-ground,

Me so happy by his side,

One in passion, one in will, bound

By a boundless love an’ wide:

Daily you would see us drinkin’

Our tea by de mess-room door,

Every passin’ moment linkin’

Us togeder more an’ more.

After little lazy leanin’,

Sittin’ on de window-sill,

Me would start our carbine-cleanin'’

For de eight o’clock big drill:

’Fo’ me he be’n always ready,

An’ as smart as smart could be;

He was always quick, yet steady,

Not of wav’rin’ min’ like me.

When de time was awful dull in

De ole borin’ Depôt-school,

An’ me face was changed an’ sullen,

An’ I kicked against de rule,

He would speak to me so sweetly,

Tellin’ me to bear my fate,