#AmericanWriters
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…
Big Boy came Carrying a mermaid On his shoulders And the mermaid Had her tail
Only dumb guys fight. If I wasn’t dumb I wouldn’t be fightin’. I could make six dollars a day On the docks
Let’s go see Old Abe Sitting in the marble and the moon… Sitting lonely in the marble and t… Quiet for ten thousand centuries,… Quiet for a million, million years…
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
You and your whole race. Look down upon the town in which y… And be ashamed. Look down upon white folks And upon yourselves
Clean the spittoons, boy. Detroit, Chicago, Atlantic City, Palm Beach.
I woke up this mornin’ ’Bout half-past three. All the womens in town Was gathered round me. Sweet gals was a-moanin’,
By what sends the white kids I ain’t sent: I know I can’t be President.
The calm, Cool face of the river Asked me for a kiss.
It would be nice In any case, To someday meet you Face to face Walking down
I know I am The Negro Problem Being wined and dined, Answering the usual questions That come to white mind
I worked for a woman, She wasn’t mean— But she had a twelve—room House to clean. Had to get breakfast,
How quiet It is in this sick room Where on the bed A silent woman lies between two lo… Life and Death,
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