#AmericanWriters
Big Boy came Carrying a mermaid On his shoulders And the mermaid Had her tail
My old mule, He’s gota grin on his face. He’s been a mule so long He’s forgotten about his race. I’m like that old mule —
I know I am The Negro Problem Being wined and dined, Answering the usual questions That come to white mind
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
God in His infinite wisdom Did not make me very wise— So when my actions are stupid They hardly take God by surprise
How still, How strangely still The water is today, It is not good For water
When I was home de Sunshine seemed like gold. When I was home de Sunshine seemed like gold. Since I come up North de
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.
It would be nice In any case, To someday meet you Face to face Walking down
Good morning, daddy! Ain’t you heard The boogie—woogie rumble Of a dream deferred? Listen closely:
Fine living . . . a la carte? Come to the Waldorf—Astoria! LISTEN HUNGRY ONES! Look! See what Vanity Fair says… new Waldorf—Astoria:
Love Is a ripe plum Growing on a purple tree. Taste it once And the spell of its enchantment
I take my dreams and make of them… and a round fountain with a beauti… And a song with a broken heart and… Do you understand my dreams? Sometimes you say you do,
Night funeral In Harlem: Where did they get Them two fine cars? Insurance man, he did not pay—
Goin’ down the road, Lawd, Goin’ down the road. Down the road, Lawd, Way, way down the road. Got to find somebody
