#AmericanWriters
I’ve known rivers: I’ve known rivers ancient as the w… My soul has grown deep like the ri… I bathed in the Euphrates when da… I built my hut near the Congo and…
I worked for a woman, She wasn’t mean— But she had a twelve—room House to clean. Had to get breakfast,
Down in the bass That steady beat Walking walking walking Like marching feet. Down in the bass
You say I O.K.ed LONG DISTANCE? O.K.ed it when? My goodness, Central That was then!
Oh, silver tree! Oh, shining rivers of the soul! In a Harlem cabaret Six long—headed jazzers play. A dancing girl whose eyes are bold
I would liken you To a night without stars Were it not for your eyes. I would liken you To a sleep without dreams
I’ve known rivers: I’ve known rivers ancient as the w… flow of human blood in human veins My soul has grown deep like the ri… I bathed in the Euphrates when da…
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—
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?
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…
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!
Only dumb guys fight. If I wasn’t dumb I wouldn’t be fightin’. I could make six dollars a day On the docks
By what sends the white kids I ain’t sent: I know I can’t be President.
Have you dug the spill Of Sugar Hill? Cast your gims On this sepia thrill: Brown sugar lassie,
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 ...