Aunt Chloe’s Politics

Against the Current, No. 55, March/April 1995

Frances E.W. Harper

Of course, I don’t know very much
  About these politics,

But I think that some who run `em
  Do mighty ugly tricks.

I’ve seen `em honey-fugle round,
  And talk so awful sweet,

That you’d think them full of kindness,
  As an egg is full of meat.

Now I don’t believe in looking
  Honest people in the face,

And saying when you’re doing wrong,
  That “I haven’t sold my race.”

When we want to school our children,
  If the money isn’t there,

Whether black or white have took it,
  The loss we all must share.

And this buying up each other
  I something worse than mean,

Though I thinks a heap of voting,
  I go for voting clean.

ATC 55, March-April 1995