#Americans #Blacks
I live on a park bench. You, Park Avenue. Hell of a distance Between us two. I beg a dime for dinner—
The census man, The day he came round, Wanted my name To put it down. I said, Johnson,
You and your whole race. Look down upon the town in which y… And be ashamed. Look down upon white folks And upon yourselves
Landlord, landlord, My roof has sprung a leak. Don’t you 'member I told you abou… Way last week? Landlord, landlord,
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…
Well, son, I’ll tell you: Life for me ain’t been no crystal… It’s had tacks in it, And splinters, And boards torn up,
Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head w… Let the rain sing you a lullaby. The rain makes still pools on the… The rain makes running pools in th…
Down in the bass That steady beat Walking walking walking Like marching feet. Down in the bass
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…
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.
My name is Johnson— Madam Alberta K. The Madam stands for business. I’m smart that way. I had a
In the Quarter of the Negroes Where the doors are doors of paper Dust of dingy atoms Blows a scratchy sound. Amorphous jack—o’—Lanterns caper
Night funeral In Harlem: Where did they get Them two fine cars? Insurance man, he did not pay—
I take my dreams and make of them… and a round fountain with a beauti… And a song with a broken heart and… Do you understand my dreams? Sometimes you say you do,
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 ...
