Janet Brice Parker
Talkin’ Bad
The English language
has gone to pot.
Is it “is,”
or ain’t it not?
My mama taught me
how to talk.
I could say mischievous
before I could walk.
My mama’s teaching
I still recall.
Shouldn’t bad English be
against the law?
We live down here
in the redneck South.
“Ain’t her a pretty lady?”
“Lawd, yes! Shut my mouth!”
But you won’t hear me complainin’—
I love livin’ down here.
Y’all just keep on talkin’,
and I’ll cover my ears.
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