#AmericanWriters
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
The census man, The day he came round, Wanted my name To put it down. I said, Johnson,
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…
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 you turn the corner And you run into yourself Then you know that you have turned All the corners that are left
Hold fast to dreams For if dreams die Life is a broken-winged bird That cannot fly. Hold fast to dreams
I am God— Without one friend, Alone in my purity World without end. Below me young lovers
I would liken you To a night without stars Were it not for your eyes. I would liken you To a sleep without dreams
Harlem Sent him home in a long box— Too dead To know why:
I woke up this mornin’ ’Bout half-past three. All the womens in town Was gathered round me. Sweet gals was a-moanin’,
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
Goin’ down the road, Lawd, Goin’ down the road. Down the road, Lawd, Way, way down the road. Got to find somebody
been scared and battered. My hopes the wind done scattered. Snow has friz me, Sun has baked me, Looks like between 'em they done
Tell all my mourners To mourn in red — Cause there ain’t no sense In my bein’ dead.
Landlord, landlord, My roof has sprung a leak. Don’t you 'member I told you abou… Way last week? Landlord, landlord,