#AmericanWriters 1931 October Originally Poetry appeared in issue magazine of the
It was a long time ago. I have almost forgotten my dream. But it was there then, In front of me, Bright like a sun—
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
I work all day, Said Simple John, Myself a house to buy. I work all day, Said Simple John,
When I get to be a composer I’m gonna write me some music abou… Daybreak in Alabama And I’m gonna put the purtiest so… Rising out of the ground like a sw…
Goin’ down the road, Lawd, Goin’ down the road. Down the road, Lawd, Way, way down the road. Got to find somebody
From Christ to Ghandi Appears this truth— St. Francis of Assisi Proves it, too: Goodness becomes grandeur
The night is beautiful, So the faces of my people. The stars are beautiful, So the eyes of my people. Beautiful, also, is the sun.
Droning a drowsy syncopated tune, Rocking back and forth to a mellow… I heard a Negro play. Down on Lenox Avenue the other ni… By the pale dull pallor of an old…
I play it cool I dig all jive. That's the reason I stay alive. My motto
I live on a park bench. You, Park Avenue. Hell of a distance Between us two. I beg a dime for dinner—
It’s such a Bore Being always Poor.
When Susanna Jones wears red her face is like an ancient cameo Turned brown by the ages. Come with a blast of trumphets, J… When Susanna Jones wears red
Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head w… Let the rain sing you a lullaby. The rain makes still pools on the… The rain makes running pools in th…
Hold fast to dreams For if dreams die Life is a broken-winged bird That cannot fly. Hold fast to dreams
The census man, The day he came round, Wanted my name To put it down. I said, Johnson,