#AmericanWriters
By what sends the white kids I ain’t sent: I know I can’t be President.
Big Boy came Carrying a mermaid On his shoulders And the mermaid Had her tail
I could take the Harlem night and wrap around you, Take the neon lights and make a cr… Take the Lenox Avenue busses, Taxis, subways,
I live on a park bench. You, Park Avenue. Hell of a distance Between us two. I beg a dime for dinner—
I catch the pattern Of your silence Before you speak I do not need To hear a word.
Down in the bass That steady beat Walking walking walking Like marching feet. Down in the bass
I was so sick last night I Didn’t hardly know my mind. So sick last night I Didn’t know my mind. I drunk some bad licker that
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
Well, son, I’ll tell you: Life for me ain’t been no crystal… It’s had tacks in it, And splinters, And boards torn up,
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’ve known rivers: I’ve known rivers ancient as the w… flow of human blood in human veins My soul has grown deep like the ri… I bathed in the Euphrates when da…
I would liken you To a night without stars Were it not for your eyes. I would liken you To a sleep without dreams
I woke up this mornin’ ’Bout half-past three. All the womens in town Was gathered round me. Sweet gals was a-moanin’,
The census man, The day he came round, Wanted my name To put it down. I said, Johnson,
When I was home de Sunshine seemed like gold. When I was home de Sunshine seemed like gold. Since I come up North de
