Louise Bennett, "Census"

[the_grynne]

CENSUS

But Government fas, eeh mah? Lawd!
Me laugh so tell me cry,
Me dis done tell de census man
A whole ton-load a lie.

Him walks een an sidung like is
Eena my yard him grow,
An yuh want hear de fimilar tings
De man did want fi know.

Him doan fine out one ting bout me,
For fi-me yeye so dry
Me stare right eena census face
An tell him bans a lie!

Me tell him seh dat all me parents
Dem is still alive--
But me modder she dead twelve ears
And me fader him dead five!

Me tell him seh de fowl an goat-dem
Doan belongs to me,
Me dah care dem fi me sister
Daughter son what gawn a sea.

Him ask me if me married, me
Get bex and tell him 'Gawn!'
For no man never ax me dat
Deh question from me bawn.

Him ax me when me bawn, me tell
Him dat ah is not sure
But me nable-string plant wid de ole
Cotton tree outa door.

One time him question me so fas
Me couldn lie so quick,
Me hole awn pon me heart an belch
An form like seh me sick.

Him ax me ef me feel bad, ah seh
'Jus like ah gwine to dead':
Me stumble, so him hole me han
An lead me to me bed.

Him seh him gawn, hear me: 'Goodbye'
--Me meck me voice soun sof.
Him tip-toe go weh; an me jump up
An bus out in a laugh!

LOUISE BENNETT