#AmericanWriters
I would liken you To a night without stars Were it not for your eyes. I would liken you To a sleep without dreams
My old mule, He’s gota grin on his face. He’s been a mule so long He’s forgotten about his race. I’m like that old mule —
Big Boy came Carrying a mermaid On his shoulders And the mermaid Had her tail
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
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
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.
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
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—
Tell all my mourners To mourn in red — Cause there ain’t no sense In my bein’ dead.
been scared and battered. My hopes the wind done scattered. Snow has friz me, Sun has baked me, Looks like between 'em they done
Let America be America again. Let it be the dream it used to be. Let it be the pioneer on the plain Seeking a home where he himself is… (America never was America to me.…
You and your whole race. Look down upon the town in which y… And be ashamed. Look down upon white folks And upon yourselves
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—
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…
I know I am The Negro Problem Being wined and dined, Answering the usual questions That come to white mind