Children, I come back today To tell you a story of the long da… That I had to climb, that I had t… In order that the race might live… Look at my face —dark as the night…

We passed their graves: The dead men there, Winners or losers, Did not care. In the dark

You say I O.K.ed LONG DISTANCE? O.K.ed it when? My goodness, Central That was then!

I would liken you To a night without stars Were it not for your eyes. I would liken you To a sleep without dreams

Here I sit With my shoes mismated. Lawdy—mercy! I’s frustrated!

I could take the Harlem night and wrap around you, Take the neon lights and make a cr… Take the Lenox Avenue busses, Taxis, subways,

When the shoe strings break On both your shoes And you’re in a hurry— That’s the blues. When you go to buy a candy bar

To fling my arms wide In some place of the sun, To whirl and to dance Till the white day is done. Then rest at cool evening

2 and 2 are 4. 4 and 4 are 8. But what would happen If the last 4 was late? And how would it be