#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.
That Justice is a blind goddess Is a thing to which we black are w… Her bandage hides two festering so… That once perhaps were eyes.
To fling my arms wide In some place of the sun, To whirl and to dance Till the white day is done. Then rest at cool evening
By what sends the white kids I ain’t sent: I know I can’t be President.
It’s such a Bore Being always Poor.
Landlord, landlord, My roof has sprung a leak. Don’t you 'member I told you abou… Way last week? Landlord, landlord,
I, too, sing America. I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes, But I laugh,
Only dumb guys fight. If I wasn’t dumb I wouldn’t be fightin’. I could make six dollars a day On the docks
Tell all my mourners To mourn in red — Cause there ain’t no sense In my bein’ dead.
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 know I am The Negro Problem Being wined and dined, Answering the usual questions That come to white mind
Big Boy came Carrying a mermaid On his shoulders And the mermaid Had her tail
The census man, The day he came round, Wanted my name To put it down. I said, Johnson,
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—
My name is Johnson— Madam Alberta K. The Madam stands for business. I’m smart that way. I had a