Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SISTER LOU, by STERLING ALLEN BROWN Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Honey Last Line: Honey, take yo' bressed time. Subject(s): African Americans; Death; Railroads; Negroes; American Blacks; Dead, The; Railways; Trains | ||||||||
Honey When de man Calls out de las' train You're gonna ride, Tell him howdy. Gather up yo' basket An' yo knittin' an' yo' things, An' go on up an' visit Wid frien' Jesus fo' a spell. Show Marfa How to make yo' greengrape jellies, An' give po' Lazarus A passel of them Golden Biscuits. Scald some meal Fo' some rightdown good spoonbread Fo' li'l box-plunkin' David. An' sit aroun' An' tell them Hebrew Chillen All yo' stories . . . Honey Don't be feared of them pearly gates, Don't go 'round to de back, No mo' dataway Not evah no mo'. Let Michael tote yo' burden An' yo' pocketbook an' evah thing 'Cept yo' Bible, While Gabriel blows somp'n Solemn but loudsome On dat horn of his'n. Honey Go Straight on the de Big House, An' speak to yo' God Widout no fear an' tremblin'. Then sit down An' pass de time of day awhile. Give a good talkin' to To yo' favorite 'postle Peter, An' rub the po' head Of mixed-up Judas, An' joke awhile wid Jonah. Then, when you gits de chance, Always rememberin' yo' raisin', Let 'em know youse tired Jest a mite tired. Jesus will find yo' bed fo' you Won't no servant evah bother wid yo' room. Jesus will lead you To a room wid windows Openin' on cherry trees an' plum trees Bloomin' everlastin'. An' dat will be yours Fo' keeps. Den take yo' time . . . Honey, take yo' bressed time. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE RAILWAY by ARTHUR CHRISTOPHER BENSON WHAT WE DID TO WHAT WE WERE by PHILIP LEVINE BURYING GROUND BY THE TIES by ARCHIBALD MACLEISH WAY-STATION by ARCHIBALD MACLEISH TWILIGHT TRAIN by EILEEN MYLES THE CAVEMAN ON THE TRAIN by JOHN FREDERICK NIMS AFTER WINTER by STERLING ALLEN BROWN |
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