Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, PRAYER FOR THE LITTLE'UN, by PHYLLIS LIVINGSTON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PRAYER FOR THE LITTLE'UN, by                    
First Line: I have dug a hole and put him in the ground
Last Line: I have done my do . . . The rest is up to you.
Subject(s): Funerals; Burials


I have dug a hole and put him in the ground
And put the red clay over him in a mound,
And fixed a purty trimmin' all around
With sody water bottles I brung from town.
I have done my do . . . the rest is up to You.

Lord, the little 'un never did git enough meat;
I used to swear his vittles went to his feet.
Him so little -- and whitish and sort of sweet --
He's dead now -- and never got enough to eat!

So, God, You need not take him up on Your knees,
And kiss him and give him toys and Christmas trees.
Just give him chicken and bread and cake and peas,
And let him git his belly full -- just once, please.

I have dug a hole and put him in the ground,
And put the red clay over him in a mound,
And fixed a purty trimmin' all around
With sody water bottles I brung from town.
I have done my do . . . the rest is up to You.





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