Page:Claude McKay Constab Ballads.djvu/56



a little anxious crowd

Jes’ outside de barrack gate,

All a-t’inkin’ deir own way

Dat de pay is kept back late:

Faces of all types an’ shades,

Brown an’ yaller, black an’ gray,

Dey are waitin’, waitin’ dere,

For it’s póliceman pay-day.

Clearly seen among dem all

Is a colourless white face

Anxious more dan every one,

Fine type of an alien race:

He is waitin’ for some cash

On de goods trust’ tarra day,—

Our good frien’ de Syrian,—

For it’s policeman pay-day.

Wid a lee piece of old clot’

’Pon her curly glossy hair,

Print frock an’ old bulldog boots

Tatters all t’rough wear an’ tear,

She is waitin’, ober-bex’,

Our mess-woman, mudder Mell,

An’ ’twould grieve you’ heart to hear

’Bouten wha’ she’s got to tell.