#AmericanWriters
I got to leave this town. It’s a lonesome place. Got to leave this town cause It’s a lonesome place. A po’, po’ boy can’t
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.
Clean the spittoons, boy. Detroit, Chicago, Atlantic City, Palm Beach.
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,
Down in the bass That steady beat Walking walking walking Like marching feet. Down in the bass
Landlord, landlord, My roof has sprung a leak. Don’t you 'member I told you abou… Way last week? Landlord, landlord,
It’s such a Bore Being always Poor.
It would be nice In any case, To someday meet you Face to face Walking down
I play it cool I dig all jive. That's the reason I stay alive. My motto
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.
What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore— And then run?
I live on a park bench. You, Park Avenue. Hell of a distance Between us two. I beg a dime for dinner—
I’m all alone in this world, she s… Ain’t got nobody to share my bed, Ain’t got nobody to hold my hand— The truth of the matter’s I ain’t got no man.
Good morning, daddy! Ain’t you heard The boogie—woogie rumble Of a dream deferred? Listen closely:
And that is what poetry may do, wrap up your dreams, protect and preserve and hold them until maybe they come true. Columbus dreamed of finding a new world, he found it. Edison dreamed ...