..

Ma, why can't I go to school?

'cause we needs to eat.

The other chillin gone up the  road

ain't nobody but me and you na.

Maybe some day da come back home 

 and den you can git some learning boy.

Meantime, go down to the spring and tote

us some water back 'fo night fall.

In the morning, milk the cows,

slop the hogs and plow the back fields.

I'll git the seeding done fo' the sun git

too hot.  Now say yo' prayers and

go to bed.  God got ya.

Louisa A Dobbins

Dedicated to Granny and Daddy