Butler’s Ballad Poem by Nancy Oyula

Arisen at dawn, New day, new tale,
My misery starts, poor son of fate,
A norm for me, despaired soul,
As I draft this, put me in your intercession,
Your frustrated black butler.


Rude demands, his way of saying hi,
You mad sir, I can’t comprehend why,
What you command I comply,
As I draft this, put me in your intercession,
your despondent, black butler.


I witness all manner of contempt,
My padrone, his wife, their daughter,
All I do is weep, no time for laughter,
I long for my life to change for the better,
As I draft this, put me in your intercession.

Today, guests come in,
To serve them as they wine and dine,
Fresh tasty rice and fine white wine,
As I draft this put me in your intercession,
I toil all day like a mule, your Negro butler.