Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, UNCLE ABE'S ADVICE, by WILLIAM STEWARD GORDON


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

UNCLE ABE'S ADVICE, by                    
First Line: You great, big loafin' darky!
Last Line: Fore de possum is in sight.
Subject(s): Animals; Hunting; Hunters


You great, big loafin' darky!
A-whinin' like a whelp,
While yo' neighbor's hay's a-spilin'
'Case he can't git any help!
I want to tell yo', honey,
De worl' won't treat you white
If yo' wait to load yo' musket
Till de possum is in sight.

When yo' was a youngster, Isaac,
Yo' wouldn't go to school,
But played aroun' de barnyard
Like a triflin', yearlin' mule.

Yo' wouldn't work nor learn a trade,
Now, when de day's half done,
Yo'se a-huntin' for life's possum
Wid a little empty gun.

Quit yo' grumblin' 'bout yo' chances!
Shed dat coat and grab dat fork!
Even white folks should go hungry
When dey git too good to work.
Stuff a little amernishun
In dat woolly head to-night—
Bettah always do yo' loadin'
'Fore de possum is in sight.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net