#AmericanWriters
I look at the world From awakening eyes in a black fac… And this is what I see: This fenced—off narrow space Assigned to me.
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…
Let’s go see Old Abe Sitting in the marble and the moon… Sitting lonely in the marble and t… Quiet for ten thousand centuries,… Quiet for a million, million years…
Being walkers with the dawn and mo… Walkers with the sun and morning, We are not afraid of night, Nor days of gloom, Nor darkness—
Big Boy came Carrying a mermaid On his shoulders And the mermaid Had her tail
The calm, Cool face of the river Asked me for a kiss.
My name is Johnson— Madam Alberta K. The Madam stands for business. I’m smart that way. I had a
It would be nice In any case, To someday meet you Face to face Walking down
You say I O.K.ed LONG DISTANCE? O.K.ed it when? My goodness, Central That was then!
She, In the dark, Found light Brighter than many ever see. She,
I know I am The Negro Problem Being wined and dined, Answering the usual questions That come to white mind
Have you dug the spill Of Sugar Hill? Cast your gims On this sepia thrill: Brown sugar lassie,
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
I woke up this mornin’ ’Bout half-past three. All the womens in town Was gathered round me. Sweet gals was a-moanin’,
been scared and battered. My hopes the wind done scattered. Snow has friz me, Sun has baked me, Looks like between 'em they done