#AmericanWriters
Have you dug the spill Of Sugar Hill? Cast your gims On this sepia thrill: Brown sugar lassie,
Big Boy came Carrying a mermaid On his shoulders And the mermaid Had her tail
Go home and write a page tonight. And let that page come out of you— Then, it will be true. I wonder if it’s that simple?
I sat there singing her Songs in the dark. She said; 'I do not understand The words’.
I would liken you To a night without stars Were it not for your eyes. I would liken you To a sleep without dreams
Now dreams Are not available To the dreamers, Nor songs To the singers.
Down in the bass That steady beat Walking walking walking Like marching feet. Down in the bass
I, too, sing America. I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes, But I laugh,
When I was home de Sunshine seemed like gold. When I was home de Sunshine seemed like gold. Since I come up North de
I went down to the river, I set down on the bank. I tried to think but couldn’t, So I jumped in and sank. I came up once and hollered!
Droning a drowsy syncopated tune, Rocking back and forth to a mellow… I heard a Negro play. Down on Lenox Avenue the other ni… By the pale dull pallor of an old…
My name is Johnson— Madam Alberta K. The Madam stands for business. I’m smart that way. I had a
Love Is a ripe plum Growing on a purple tree. Taste it once And the spell of its enchantment
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—