#AmericanWriters
I worked for a woman, She wasn’t mean— But she had a twelve—room House to clean. Had to get breakfast,
I catch the pattern Of your silence Before you speak I do not need To hear a word.
I’ve known rivers: I’ve known rivers ancient as the w… My soul has grown deep like the ri… I bathed in the Euphrates when da… I built my hut near the Congo and…
I am your son, white man! Georgia dusk And the turpentine woods. One of the pillars of the temple f… You are my son!
It was a long time ago. I have almost forgotten my dream. But it was there then, In front of me, Bright like a sun—
I went to the Gypsy’s. Gypsy settin’ all alone. I said, Tell me, Gypsy, When will my gal be home? Gypsy said, Silver,
I am God— Without one friend, Alone in my purity World without end. Below me young lovers
You say I O.K.ed LONG DISTANCE? O.K.ed it when? My goodness, Central That was then!
Oh, silver tree! Oh, shining rivers of the soul! In a Harlem cabaret Six long—headed jazzers play. A dancing girl whose eyes are bold
I live on a park bench. You, Park Avenue. Hell of a distance Between us two. I beg a dime for dinner—
What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore— And then run?
The night is beautiful, So the faces of my people. The stars are beautiful, So the eyes of my people. Beautiful, also, is the sun.
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.
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
Goin’ down the road, Lawd, Goin’ down the road. Down the road, Lawd, Way, way down the road. Got to find somebody