#AmericanWriters
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!
Tell all my mourners To mourn in red — Cause there ain’t no sense In my bein’ dead.
I went to the Gypsy’s. Gypsy settin’ all alone. I said, Tell me, Gypsy, When will my gal be home? Gypsy said, Silver,
God in His infinite wisdom Did not make me very wise— So when my actions are stupid They hardly take God by surprise
Goin’ down the road, Lawd, Goin’ down the road. Down the road, Lawd, Way, way down the road. Got to find somebody
Good morning, daddy! Ain’t you heard The boogie—woogie rumble Of a dream deferred? Listen closely:
In places like Selma, Alabama, Kids say, In places like Chicago and New York...
It would be nice In any case, To someday meet you Face to face Walking down
Harlem Sent him home in a long box— Too dead To know why:
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
By what sends the white kids I ain’t sent: I know I can’t be President.
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.
Big Boy came Carrying a mermaid On his shoulders And the mermaid Had her tail
How quiet It is in this sick room Where on the bed A silent woman lies between two lo… Life and Death,
I would liken you To a night without stars Were it not for your eyes. I would liken you To a sleep without dreams