#AmericanWriters
My name is Johnson— Madam Alberta K. The Madam stands for business. I’m smart that way. I had a
The census man, The day he came round, Wanted my name To put it down. I said, Johnson,
I am God— Without one friend, Alone in my purity World without end. Below me young lovers
Well, son, I’ll tell you: Life for me ain’t been no crystal… It’s had tacks in it, And splinters, And boards torn up,
Oh, silver tree! Oh, shining rivers of the soul! In a Harlem cabaret Six long—headed jazzers play. A dancing girl whose eyes are bold
Good morning, daddy! Ain’t you heard The boogie—woogie rumble Of a dream deferred? Listen closely:
Remember The days of bondage— And remembering— Do not stand still. Go to the highest hill
Big Boy came Carrying a mermaid On his shoulders And the mermaid Had her tail
You sicken me with lies, With truthful lies. And with your pious faces. And your wide, out—stretched, mock—welcome, Christian hands.
You say I O.K.ed LONG DISTANCE? O.K.ed it when? My goodness, Central That was then!
When I was home de Sunshine seemed like gold. When I was home de Sunshine seemed like gold. Since I come up North de
Down in the bass That steady beat Walking walking walking Like marching feet. Down in the bass
Tell all my mourners To mourn in red — Cause there ain’t no sense In my bein’ dead.
In places like Selma, Alabama, Kids say, In places like Chicago and New York...
Hold fast to dreams For if dreams die Life is a broken-winged bird That cannot fly. Hold fast to dreams