The Poetry Corner

A Frolic

By Paul Laurence Dunbar

Swing yo' lady roun' an' roun', Do de bes' you know; Mek yo' bow an' p'omenade Up an' down de flo'; Mek dat banjo hump huhse'f. Listen at huh talk: Mastah gone to town to-night; 'T ain't no time to walk. Lif yo' feet an' flutter thoo, Run, Miss Lucy, run; Reckon you 'll be cotched an' kissed 'Fo' de night is done. You don't need to be so proud-- I's a-watchin' you, An' I's layin' lots o' plans Fu' to git you, too. Moonlight on de cotton-fiel' Shinin' sof an' white, Whippo'will a-tellin' tales Out thaih in de night; An' yo' cabin 's 'crost de lot: Run, Miss Lucy, run; Reckon you 'll be cotched an' kissed To' de night is done.