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African-American American American Poetry Black History Poetry Uncategorized

“The Don’t-Care Negro” by Joseph Seamon Cotter, Sr. (1861 – 1949)


“…Neber min’ man’s why an’ wharfo’
    So de world is big an’ roun’.
Neber min’ whar next you’s gwine to
    So you’s six foot under groun’…”


The Don’t-Care Negro

BY JOSEPH SEAMON COTTER, SR
Neber min’ what’s in your cran’um
So your collar’s high an’ true.
Neber min’ what’s in your pocket
So de blackin’s on your shoe.

Neber min’ who keeps you comp’ny
So he halts up what he’s tuk.
Neber min’ what way you’s gwine
So you’s gwine away frum wuk.

Neber min’ de race’s troubles
So you profits by dem all.
Neber min’ your leaders’ stumblin’
So you he’ps to mak’ dem fall.

Neber min’ what’s true tomorrow
So you libes a dream today.
Neber min’ what tax is levied
So it’s not on craps or play.

Neber min’ how hard you labors
So you does it to de en’
Dat de judge is boun’ to sen’ you
An’ your record to de “pen.”

Neber min’ your manhoods risin’
So you habe a way to stay it.
Neber min’ folks’ good opinion
So you habe a way to slay it.

Neber min’ man’s why an’ wharfo’
So de world is big an’ roun’.
Neber min’ whar next you’s gwine to
So you’s six foot under groun’.

By TDarris

Thinker. Reader. Writer--- of, and about, a plethora of things.

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