#AmericanWriters
I, too, sing America. I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes, But I laugh,
How quiet It is in this sick room Where on the bed A silent woman lies between two lo… Life and Death,
In places like Selma, Alabama, Kids say, In places like Chicago and New York...
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.
He glides so swiftly Back into the grass— Gives me the courtesy of road To let me pass, That I am half ashamed
I work all day, Said Simple John, Myself a house to buy. I work all day, Said Simple John,
How still, How strangely still The water is today, It is not good For water
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
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 live on a park bench. You, Park Avenue. Hell of a distance Between us two. I beg a dime for dinner—
The calm, Cool face of the river Asked me for a kiss.
I would liken you To a night without stars Were it not for your eyes. I would liken you To a sleep without dreams
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
The rent man knocked. He said, Howdy—do? I said, What Can I do for you? He said, You know
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!