Well, one morning real early <br />I was going down the street, <br />And I heard a stranger asking <br />For Missis Chloe Fleet. <br /> <br />There was something in his voice <br />That made me feel quite shaky. <br />And when I looked right in his face, <br />Who should it be but Jakey! <br /> <br />I grasped him tight, and took him home - <br />What gladness filled my cup! <br />And I laughed, and just rolled over, <br />And laughed, and just give up. <br /> <br />'Where have you been? O Jakey, dear! <br />Why didn't you come before? <br />Oh! when you children went away <br />My heart was awful sore.' <br /> <br />'Why, mammy, I've been on your hunt <br />Since ever I've been free, <br />And I have heard from brother Ben, - <br />He's down in Tennessee. <br /> <br />'He wrote me that he had a wife,' <br />'And children?' 'Yes, he's three.' <br />'You married, too?' 'Oh, no, indeed, <br />I thought I'd first get free.' <br /> <br />'Then, Jakey, you will stay with me, <br />And comfort my poor heart; <br />Old Mistus got no power now <br />To tear us both apart. <br /> <br />'I'm richer now than Mistus, <br />Because I have got my son; <br />And Mister Thomas he is dead, <br />And she's nary one. <br /> <br />'You must write to brother Benny <br />That he must come this fall, <br />And we'll make the cabin bigger, <br />And that will hold us all. <br /> <br />'Tell him I want to see 'em all <br />Before my life do cease: <br />And then, like good old Simeon, <br />I hope to die in peace.'<br /><br />Frances Ellen Watkins Harper<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-reunion-10/
