Dear Lawd,

Lawd I knows dat you a lovin, kind Lawd, and I know dat you understand what I’m going through right now. I tried all I could Lawd, but nothing could keep him off me. I took some corn bread and snuck off into de woods for a day or two, and he would still come lookin for me. I told em dat I was going through my womanly ailments, and he left me alone for a week. And just when de week was over he was right back at my cabin. He said he knows dat I ain’t really sick, dat I been trying to get out of de fields, dat I been a bad nigger. Lawd, from de way he looks at me I know dat there is evil in dis world, dat the devil is out there. Granny told me dat it woulnd’t be so bad if I stopped being so difficult, just let it happen. She says it happens to all of us womenfolk. Well Lawd I had no choice. De week was over and Massa was at my door. I tried to close my eyes and forget where I was, but de pain kept bringing me back. He been layin in my bed for about 3 months now. But dat ain’t why I’m callin on you Lawd. Lawd, I’m with child and I don’t know what to do. Ole mistress already treat me real bad cuz Massa come to my cabin at night. I’m scared she gon do something to my baby. Lawd I can’t let this baby come into dis world of evil. Granny says I going to hell for what I plan to do, but I know dat you will forgive me Lawd. Aunt Mollie says she got a syrup for me. I plans to take it next month. Lawd I just asks dat you protect my baby and watch over him while he in heaven.

Daph