The Complete Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar/Jilted

JILTED

Lucy done gone back on me, Dat's de way wif life. Evaht'ing was movin' free, T'ought I had my wife. Den some dahky comes along, Sings my gal a little song, Since den, evaht'ing's gone wrong, Evah day dey 's strife.

Did n't answeh me to-day, Wen I called huh name, Would you t'ink she 'd ac' dat way Wen I ain't to blame? Dat 's de way dese women do, Wen dey fin's a fellow true, Den dey 'buse him thoo an' thoo; Well, hit 's all de same.

Somep'n's wrong erbout my lung, An' I 's glad hit 's so. Doctah says 'at I 'll die young, Well, I wants to go! Whut 's de use o' livin' hyeah, Wen de gal you loves so deah, Goes back on you clean an' cleah— I sh'd like to know?