#Americans #Blacks
Being walkers with the dawn and mo… Walkers with the sun and morning, We are not afraid of night, Nor days of gloom, Nor darkness—
I catch the pattern Of your silence Before you speak I do not need To hear a word.
Big Boy came Carrying a mermaid On his shoulders And the mermaid Had her tail
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,
I work all day, Said Simple John, Myself a house to buy. I work all day, Said Simple John,
You say I O.K.ed LONG DISTANCE? O.K.ed it when? My goodness, Central That was then!
Night funeral In Harlem: Where did they get Them two fine cars? Insurance man, he did not pay—
Democracy will not come Today, this year Nor ever Through compromise and fear. I have as much right
Listen! Dear dream of utter aliveness— Touching my body of utter death— Tell me, O quickly! dream of aliv… The flaming source of your bright…
The gold moth did not love him So, gorgeous, she flew away. But the gray moth circled the flam… Until the break of day. And then, with wings like a dead d…
Because my mouth Is wide with laughter And my throat Is deep with song, You do not think
What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore— And then run?
Hold fast to dreams For if dreams die Life is a broken-winged bird That cannot fly. Hold fast to dreams
We passed their graves: The dead men there, Winners or losers, Did not care. In the dark
I would liken you To a night without stars Were it not for your eyes. I would liken you To a sleep without dreams
