#AmericanWriters
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
Goin’ down the road, Lawd, Goin’ down the road. Down the road, Lawd, Way, way down the road. Got to find somebody
I live on a park bench. You, Park Avenue. Hell of a distance Between us two. I beg a dime for dinner—
We passed their graves: The dead men there, Winners or losers, Did not care. In the dark
The gold moth did not love him So, gorgeous, she flew away. But the gray moth circled the flam… Until the break of day. And then, with wings like a dead d…
Democracy will not come Today, this year Nor ever Through compromise and fear. I have as much right
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…
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,
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 worked for a woman, She wasn’t mean— But she had a twelve—room House to clean. Had to get breakfast,
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
In an envelope marked: PERSONAL God addressed me a letter. In an envelope marked: PERSONAL
Because my mouth Is wide with laughter And my throat Is deep with song, You do not think
The rent man knocked. He said, Howdy—do? I said, What Can I do for you? He said, You know
'Me an’ ma baby’s Got two mo’ ways, Two mo’ ways to do de Charleston!… Da, da, Da, da, da!