《Father February 1911》原文

　　There is but little I recall of him — how

　　I feared his visits, though he would bring gifts:

　　apples, candy, a toothbrush and powder.

　　In exchange I must present fingernails

　　and ears, open my mouth to show the teeth.

　　Then I’d recite my lessons, my voice low.

　　I would stumble over a simple word, say

　　lay for lie, and he would stop me there. How

　　I wanted him to like me, think me smart,

　　a delicate colored girl — not the wild

　　pickaninny roaming the fields, barefoot.

　　I search now for his face among the men

　　I pass in the streets, fear the day a man

　　enters my room both customer and father.