#AmericanWriters
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
Gather quickly Out of darkness All the songs you know And throw them at the sun Before they melt
I would liken you To a night without stars Were it not for your eyes. I would liken you To a sleep without dreams
Children, I come back today To tell you a story of the long da… That I had to climb, that I had t… In order that the race might live… Look at my face —dark as the night…
He glides so swiftly Back into the grass— Gives me the courtesy of road To let me pass, That I am half ashamed
Democracy will not come Today, this year Nor ever Through compromise and fear. I have as much right
I live on a park bench. You, Park Avenue. Hell of a distance Between us two. I beg a dime for dinner—
Here I sit With my shoes mismated. Lawdy—mercy! I’s frustrated!
I will take you heart. I will take your soul out of your… As though I were God. I will not be satisfied With the touch of your hand
The rent man knocked. He said, Howdy—do? I said, What Can I do for you? He said, You know
Where is the Jim Crow section On this merry—go—round, Mister, cause I want to ride? Down South where I come from White and colored
Listen! Dear dream of utter aliveness— Touching my body of utter death— Tell me, O quickly! dream of aliv… The flaming source of your bright…
Big Boy came Carrying a mermaid On his shoulders And the mermaid Had her tail
Because my mouth Is wide with laughter And my throat Is deep with song, You do not think
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—