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Langston Hughes

Langston Hughes

Minstrel Man

Because my mouth
Is wide with laughter
And my throat
Is deep with song,
You do not think
I suffer after
I have held my pain
So long?
 
Because my mouth
Is wide with laughter,
You do not hear
My inner cry?
Because my feet
Are gay with dancing,
You do not know
I die?

#Americans #Blacks

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Peace

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

Down in the bass That steady beat Walking walking walking Like marching feet. Down in the bass
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The ivory gods, And the ebony gods, And the gods of diamond and jade, Sit silently on their temple shelv… While the people
I Dream a World

I dream a world where man No other man will scorn, Where love will bless the earth And peace its paths adorn I dream a world where all
Cross

My old man’s a white old man And my old mother’s black. If ever I cursed my white old man I take my curses back. If ever I cursed my black old mot…
Wealth

From Christ to Ghandi Appears this truth— St. Francis of Assisi Proves it, too: Goodness becomes grandeur
Personal

In an envelope marked: PERSONAL God addressed me a letter. In an envelope marked: PERSONAL
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The Weary Blues

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…
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The rent man knocked. He said, Howdy—do? I said, What Can I do for you? He said, You know
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Juke Box Love Song

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 look at the world

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.
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Clean the spittoons, boy. Detroit, Chicago, Atlantic City, Palm Beach.
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Ardella

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

I catch the pattern Of your silence Before you speak I do not need To hear a word.
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