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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


A PHOTOGRAPH by NINA FARLEY WISHEK

First Line: ODD LITTLE, THIN LITTLE BROWN LITTLE GIRL
Last Line: EVER WEAR PRETTY DRESSES, HAVE A WAVE AND A CURL?
Subject(s): AFRICAN AMERICANS - CHILDREN; PHOTOGRAPHY & PHOTOGRAPHERS;

Odd little, thin little brown little girl
With straight, sun burned hair, and never a curl
Patient little helper from a home near-by
Round shoulders hunched, lean form awry.
Her drab faded dress, cut down and remade,
Still holds grown-up lines, looks old and staid;
But in her long face, so brown and thin,
There comes sometimes a light from down within,
As her pale blue eyes look up into mine
With an eager, hungry quest, and white teeth shine
In a faint smile -- poor old young thing,
Must she go through life forever questioning?
Will she ever know beauty, this funny little girl,
Ever wear pretty dresses, have a wave and a curl?



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