“She swore to wait for me on my return,
And I believed her vow—I was a man,
And while I was away my thoughts would burn
Through to her photograph. I got a tan.
My skin became so dark, my head so big--
Mother and sister took me to the train,
And told me not to cry—but others did--
And I could see my Momma’s face in pain.
And from the train they transferred us to God
Knows where or cares, but I came through it though--
It strengthened me in mind and in my bod,
And taught me what a boy did never know.
She married with my friend; but we were sent,
To where I saw—well, anyhow, we went.”