To a Comrade

Little comrade, never min’
Though another is unkin’;
“ Of de pain o’ dis ya wul’
We must suck we bellyful.”

Little comrade, moan not so,
Oh, you fill my heart with woe!
Sad I listen to your cries,
Can’t you ope your burnin’ eyes?

Little comrade, though ’tis hot,
Say you will revenge him not:
Talk not thus, you mek me grieve,
Promise me you will forgive.

Little comrade, never min’
Though a brother is unkin’;
Treat him kindest as you can,
Show yourself the better man.

Credit

From Songs of Jamaica (Aston W. Gardner & Co., 1912) by Claude McKay. This poem is in the public domain.