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Paul Laurence Dunbar

Phyllis

PHYLLIS, ah, Phyllis, my life is a gray day,
Few are my years, but my griefs are not few,
Ever to youth should each day be a May—day,
Warm wind and rose—breath and diamonded dew—
Phyllis, ah, Phyllis, my life is a gray day.
Oh for the sunlight that shines on a May—day!
Only the cloud hangeth over my life.
Love that should bring me youth’s happiest heyday
Brings me but seasons of sorrow and strife:
Phyllis, ah, Phyllis, my life is a gray day.
 
Sunshine or shadow, or gold day or gray day,
Life must be lived as our destinies rule;
Leisure or labor or work day or play day—
Feasts for the famous and fun for the fool;
Phyllis, ah, Phyllis, my life is a gray day.

#AmericanWriters

Other works by Paul Laurence Dunbar...
A Negro Love Song

Seen my lady home las’ night, Jump back, honey, jump back. Hel’ huh han’ an’ sque’z it tight, Jump back, honey, jump back. Hyeahd huh sigh a little sigh,
 1
Resignation

Long had I grieved at what I deem… But now I am as grain within the… If so be thou must crush me for th… Grind on, O potent God, and do th…
The Ol' Tunes

YOU kin talk about yer anthems An’ yer arias an’ sich, An’ yer modern choir—singin’ That you think so awful rich; But you orter heerd us youngsters
Hunting Song

Tek a cool night, good an’ cleah, Skiff o’ snow upon de groun’; Jes’ 'bout fall—time o’ de yeah W’en de leaves is dry an brown; Tek a dog an’ tek a axe,
Riding to Town

WHEN labor is light and the morn… I find it a pleasure beyond all co… To hitch up my nag and go hurrying… And take Katie May for a ride int… For bumpety—bump goes the wagon,
A Lyric

My lady love lives far away, And oh my heart is sad by day, And ah my tears fall fast by night… What may I do in such a plight. Why, miles grow few when love is f…
Kidnaped

I HELD my heart so far from harm… I let it wander far and free In mead and mart, without alarm, Assured it must come back to me. And all went well till on a day,
The Corn-Stalk Fiddle

WHEN the corn’s all cut and the… Like the burnished spears of a fie… When the field—mice rich on the nu… And the frost comes white and the… Then it’s heigh—ho! fellows and hi…
Evening

The moon begins her stately ride Across the summer sky; The happy wavelets lash the shore,… The tide is rising high. Beneath some friendly blade of gra…
Two Little Boots

TWO little boots all rough an’ wo… Two little boots! Laws, I’s kissed 'em times befo’, Dese little boots! Seems de toes a—peepin’ thoo
Religion

I AM no priest of crooks nor cree… For human wants and human needs Are more to me than prophets’ deed… And human tears and human cares Affect me more than human prayers.
Dream Song II

Pray, what can dreams avail To make love or to mar? The child within the cradle rail Lies dreaming of the star. But is the star by this beguiled
The Boogah Man

W’EN de evenin’ shadders Come a—glidin’ down, Fallin’ black an’ heavy Ovah hill an’ town, Ef you listen keerful,
The Sparrow

A LITTLE bird, with plumage bro… Beside my window flutters down, A moment chirps its little strain, Then taps upon my window—pane, And chirps again, and hops along,
Howdy, Honey, Howdy

DO’ a—stan’in’ on a jar, fiah a—s… thoo, Ol’ folks drowsin’ 'roun’ de place… wide awake is Lou, W’en I tap, she answah, an’ I see



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