#AmericanWriters
In places like Selma, Alabama, Kids say, In places like Chicago and New York...
God in His infinite wisdom Did not make me very wise— So when my actions are stupid They hardly take God by surprise
Night funeral In Harlem: Where did they get Them two fine cars? Insurance man, he did not pay—
Tell all my mourners To mourn in red — Cause there ain’t no sense In my bein’ dead.
I would liken you To a night without stars Were it not for your eyes. I would liken you To a sleep without dreams
'Me an’ ma baby’s Got two mo’ ways, Two mo’ ways to do de Charleston!… Da, da, Da, da, da!
Love Is a ripe plum Growing on a purple tree. Taste it once And the spell of its enchantment
I work all day, Said Simple John, Myself a house to buy. I work all day, Said Simple John,
I went down to the river, I set down on the bank. I tried to think but couldn’t, So I jumped in and sank. I came up once and hollered!
I look at the world From awakening eyes in a black fac… And this is what I see: This fenced—off narrow space Assigned to me.
When you turn the corner And you run into yourself Then you know that you have turned All the corners that are left
My name is Johnson— Madam Alberta K. The Madam stands for business. I’m smart that way. I had a
That Justice is a blind goddess Is a thing to which we black are w… Her bandage hides two festering so… That once perhaps were eyes.
You say I O.K.ed LONG DISTANCE? O.K.ed it when? My goodness, Central That was then!
How still, How strangely still The water is today, It is not good For water