The Ballad of Chocolate Mabbie
by Gwendolyn Brooks

It was Mabbie without the grammar school gates. 
And Mabbie was all of seven.
And Mabbie was cut from a chocolate bar.
And Mabbie thought life was heaven.

The grammar school gates were the pearly gates, 
For Willie Boone went to school
When she sat by him in history class
Was only her eyes were cool.

It was Mabbie without the grammar school gates
Waiting for Willie Boone.
Half hour after the closing bell!
He would surely be coming soon.

Oh, warm is the waiting for joys, my dears! 
And it cannot be too long.
Oh, pity the little poor chocolate lips
That carry the bubble of song!

Out came the saucily bold Willie Boone. 
It was woe for our Mabbie now.
He wore like a jewel a lemon-hued lynx 
With sand-waves loving her brow.

It was Mabbie alone by the grammar school gates. 
Yet chocolate companions had she:
Mabbie on Mabbie with hush in the heart.
Mabbie on Mabbie to be.