#AmericanWriters
Democracy will not come Today, this year Nor ever Through compromise and fear. I have as much right
I will take you heart. I will take your soul out of your… As though I were God. I will not be satisfied With the touch of your hand
2 and 2 are 4. 4 and 4 are 8. But what would happen If the last 4 was late? And how would it be
How still, How strangely still The water is today, It is not good For water
She, In the dark, Found light Brighter than many ever see. She,
The census man, The day he came round, Wanted my name To put it down. I said, Johnson,
My old man’s a white old man And my old mother’s black. If ever I cursed my white old man I take my curses back. If ever I cursed my black old mot…
Clean the spittoons, boy. Detroit, Chicago, Atlantic City, Palm Beach.
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!
Night funeral In Harlem: Where did they get Them two fine cars? Insurance man, he did not pay—
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,
Harlem Sent him home in a long box— Too dead To know why:
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?
When the shoe strings break On both your shoes And you’re in a hurry— That’s the blues. When you go to buy a candy bar