from The Black Man’s Plea for Justice
by Ephraim David Tyler

Hear me, statesman,

I am pleading to defend

The black man’s cause.

Will you give me the protection

to outline your laws?

Will your lawyers plead my cases

in your courts?

Am I not a citizen?

I pay dear for transportation

over all your railroad track.

I come up to every requirement

and I will always pay my tax.

And when I don’t fill in blanks correctly,

will you kindly teach me how?

Ruling power of this nation,

will you give me justice now?

I prepared your wedding supper

and I dug your father’s grave.

I did everything you asked me

just because I was your slave.

I helped build your great bridges

and I laid your railroad steel.

Oh, I been a mighty power

in your great financial wheel.

And when I don’t do jobs correctly

will you kindly teach me how?

Ruling power of this nation

will you give me justice now?

2
Select the correct answer.
How does the poet’s use of syntax impact the poem?