#AmericanWriters
You and your whole race. Look down upon the town in which y… And be ashamed. Look down upon white folks And upon yourselves
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 places like Selma, Alabama, Kids say, In places like Chicago and New York...
In an envelope marked: PERSONAL God addressed me a letter. In an envelope marked: PERSONAL
Here I sit With my shoes mismated. Lawdy—mercy! I’s frustrated!
Go home and write a page tonight. And let that page come out of you— Then, it will be true. I wonder if it’s that simple?
Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head w… Let the rain sing you a lullaby. The rain makes still pools on the… The rain makes running pools in th…
I catch the pattern Of your silence Before you speak I do not need To hear a word.
When you turn the corner And you run into yourself Then you know that you have turned All the corners that are left
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.
I went to the Gypsy’s. Gypsy settin’ all alone. I said, Tell me, Gypsy, When will my gal be home? Gypsy said, Silver,
To fling my arms wide In some place of the sun, To whirl and to dance Till the white day is done. Then rest at cool evening
Landlord, landlord, My roof has sprung a leak. Don’t you 'member I told you abou… Way last week? Landlord, landlord,
I worked for a woman, She wasn’t mean— But she had a twelve—room House to clean. Had to get breakfast,
It would be nice In any case, To someday meet you Face to face Walking down