Protest

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Who say my hea't ain't true to you?
  Dey bettah heish dey mouf.
  I knows I loves you thoo an' thoo
  In watah time er drouf.
  I wush dese people 'd stop dey talkin',
  Don't mean no mo' dan chicken's squawkin':
  I guess I knows which way I's walkin',
  I knows de norf f'om souf.

  I does not love Elizy Brown,
  I guess I knows my min'.
  You allus try to tek me down
  Wid evaht'ing you fin'.
  Ef dese hyeah folks will keep on fillin'
  Yo' haid wid nonsense, an' you's willin'
  I bet some day dey 'll be a killin'
  Somewhaih along de line.

  O' cose I buys de gal ice-cream,
  Whut else I gwine to do?
  I knows jes' how de t'ing 'u'd seem
  Ef I 'd be sho't wid you.
  On Sunday, you's at chu'ch a-shoutin',
  Den all de week you go 'roun' poutin'--
  I's mighty tiahed o' all dis doubtin',
  I tell you cause I's true.

© Paul Laurence Dunbar