#AmericanWriters
My name is Johnson— Madam Alberta K. The Madam stands for business. I’m smart that way. I had a
Clean the spittoons, boy. Detroit, Chicago, Atlantic City, Palm Beach.
How quiet It is in this sick room Where on the bed A silent woman lies between two lo… Life and Death,
I take my dreams and make of them… and a round fountain with a beauti… And a song with a broken heart and… Do you understand my dreams? Sometimes you say you do,
I work all day, Said Simple John, Myself a house to buy. I work all day, Said Simple John,
Down in the bass That steady beat Walking walking walking Like marching feet. Down in the bass
Fine living . . . a la carte? Come to the Waldorf—Astoria! LISTEN HUNGRY ONES! Look! See what Vanity Fair says… new Waldorf—Astoria:
God in His infinite wisdom Did not make me very wise— So when my actions are stupid They hardly take God by surprise
I worked for a woman, She wasn’t mean— But she had a twelve—room House to clean. Had to get breakfast,
I look at the world From awakening eyes in a black fac… And this is what I see: This fenced—off narrow space Assigned to me.
I went to the Gypsy’s. Gypsy settin’ all alone. I said, Tell me, Gypsy, When will my gal be home? Gypsy said, Silver,
Hold fast to dreams For if dreams die Life is a broken-winged bird That cannot fly. Hold fast to dreams
Only dumb guys fight. If I wasn’t dumb I wouldn’t be fightin’. I could make six dollars a day On the docks
In an envelope marked: PERSONAL God addressed me a letter. In an envelope marked: PERSONAL
been scared and battered. My hopes the wind done scattered. Snow has friz me, Sun has baked me, Looks like between 'em they done