Poem by Benjamin Franklin King

The Tramp

He came from where he started
      And was going where he went.
He hadn't had a smell of food,
      Not even had a scent.
He never even muttered once
      Till he began to talk,
And when he left the kitchen door
      He took the garden walk.

He said: "There's no one with me,
      Because I am alone;
I might have scintillated once;
      My clothes have always shone.
I got here 'fore the other ones
      Because I started first:
The reason I look shabby is
      Because I'm dressed the worst."

Then I asked him where he came from--
      This was just before we parted,
And he muttered indistinctly,
      "Oh, I come from where I started!" 

1. I'm a Bluejay
2. 'Rastus King
3. How Hank Died
4. Elopement
5. Gedder in Yo' Grain

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