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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


MY BEST GIRL by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR

First Line: HER HAIR IS A BRILLIANT RED, AND HER VOICE LIKE A BUMBLEBEE'S HUM
Last Line: FOR I ALMOST IMMEDIATELY ROSE. GOOD HEAVENS! I'D KNELT ON A PIN!

Her hair is a brilliant red, and her voice like a bumblebee's hum,
And this lovely young damsel is fed on the choicest of
sweet chewing gum.
I have met her at church and at fair. How I love her no
person can tell,
But the terrible hue of her hair has made me feel weary -- ah, well,
But how can I justly complain? 'Tis the World with its
sorrow and care,
And I'm not the first love-struck swain to be cursed with a
girl with red hair.
I called on her yesterday eve, and sweet were the words that I said.
I attempted when taking my leave to light my cigar on her head.
Poor damsel she stared and turned red till she looked like
a full-blown rose
But she murmured, "Don't worry, dear Ned. My hair
corresponds to your nose."
Then I swore in a still, silent way. That's the way those
religious folk swear,
For my nose, I am sorry to say, was as brilliantly red as her hair.
As I thought of her hair and my nose, and then of my nose
and her hair,
A stronger emotion arose, and I knelt on my knees then and there.
Dear hearers, I didn't propose, and to say what I said is a sin,
For I almost immediately rose. Good heavens! I'd knelt on a pin!



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