#AmericanWriters
The ivory gods, And the ebony gods, And the gods of diamond and jade, Sit silently on their temple shelv… While the people
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
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
God in His infinite wisdom Did not make me very wise— So when my actions are stupid They hardly take God by surprise
How quiet It is in this sick room Where on the bed A silent woman lies between two lo… Life and Death,
When you turn the corner And you run into yourself Then you know that you have turned All the corners that are left
Let America be America again. Let it be the dream it used to be. Let it be the pioneer on the plain Seeking a home where he himself is… (America never was America to me.…
Gather quickly Out of darkness All the songs you know And throw them at the sun Before they melt
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,
The rent man knocked. He said, Howdy—do? I said, What Can I do for you? He said, You know
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…
I would liken you To a night without stars Were it not for your eyes. I would liken you To a sleep without dreams
Night funeral In Harlem: Where did they get Them two fine cars? Insurance man, he did not pay—
Here I sit With my shoes mismated. Lawdy—mercy! I’s frustrated!
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