#AmericanWriters
When a man starts out with nothing… When a man starts out with his han… Empty, but clean, When a man starts to build a world… He starts first with himself
In the Quarter of the Negroes Where the doors are doors of paper Dust of dingy atoms Blows a scratchy sound. Amorphous jack—o’—Lanterns caper
How quiet It is in this sick room Where on the bed A silent woman lies between two lo… Life and Death,
By what sends the white kids I ain’t sent: I know I can’t be President.
I sat there singing her Songs in the dark. She said; 'I do not understand The words’.
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…
I’m all alone in this world, she s… Ain’t got nobody to share my bed, Ain’t got nobody to hold my hand— The truth of the matter’s I ain’t got no man.
How still, How strangely still The water is today, It is not good For water
Love Is a ripe plum Growing on a purple tree. Taste it once And the spell of its enchantment
Hold fast to dreams For if dreams die Life is a broken-winged bird That cannot fly. Hold fast to dreams
Night funeral In Harlem: Where did they get Them two fine cars? Insurance man, he did not pay—
Down in the bass That steady beat Walking walking walking Like marching feet. Down in the bass
Remember The days of bondage— And remembering— Do not stand still. Go to the highest hill
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 am your son, white man! Georgia dusk And the turpentine woods. One of the pillars of the temple f… You are my son!