  ——— Since I got ’ligion Tryin’ to do what’s right Devil, jus’ to temp’ me, Keeps ol’ sin in sight. Farmers plant th’ir melons Jam up ’gin the fence; Leave the hen-coops open Like they got no sense. Man who own the orch’rd Don mov’ off to town; Peaches an’ the apples Rot’nin’ on the groun.’ In a trap th’s mornin’ By the ’simmon tree, Saw a grea’ big ’possum, Fat as he cou’d be. Wou’d ’ve got th’t ’possum Eph—he’d never kno’, Th’t his trap co’t him, Got a ’ligion tho’. People got no bus’ness Fo’ to temp’ a man; ’Fusin’ water-melons More th’n I can stan’. If theys out th’re waitin’ T’night whin I com’ ’long, They shan’t teach no oth’r Christ’an to go ’rong. Sally bake a hoe cake; Get the kittle hot. Goin’ bring back a chicken If I don’t git shot. I find in Mr. McGirt’s verses a meaning and accent which belong only to the true poet. (Mrs.) REBECCA HARDING DAVIS. Mr. McGirt’s poetry is spontaneous, natural and true. (Mrs.) MARGARET E. SANGSTER. My Dear Mr. McGirt: Your verses indicate talent. I see no reason why you should not have a great deal of success. Sincerely Yours, Mr. James E. McGirt: Dear Sir:—You show in these verses a talent for putting thoughts into literary form ... very rare. I have found the sentiment of the poems always pure and orthodox—often sweet and touching; there is a simplicity about them which wins the reader’s attention.... I remain sincerely yours, You show a great deal of talent in your poems. I find them very interesting and sweet. THOMAS NELSON PAGE. Mr. James E. McGirt, Philadelphia, My Dear Sir:—I have given some spare hours to the reading of your poems, which you were kind enough to furnish me in volume and manuscript. It is always gratifying to me to find one of your race aim to advance or excel in literary efforts. I was specially pleased with the merits of your poems, which should certainly command a large circle of readers, not only among your own people, but among all lovers of genuine poetic effort. Yours truly, |
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