#AmericanWriters
Democracy will not come Today, this year Nor ever Through compromise and fear. I have as much right
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—
It was a long time ago. I have almost forgotten my dream. But it was there then, In front of me, Bright like a sun—
He glides so swiftly Back into the grass— Gives me the courtesy of road To let me pass, That I am half ashamed
How still, How strangely still The water is today, It is not good For water
Gather quickly Out of darkness All the songs you know And throw them at the sun Before they melt
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
Down in the bass That steady beat Walking walking walking Like marching feet. Down in the bass
I work all day, Said Simple John, Myself a house to buy. I work all day, Said Simple John,
When Susanna Jones wears red her face is like an ancient cameo Turned brown by the ages. Come with a blast of trumphets, J… When Susanna Jones wears red
Good morning, daddy! Ain’t you heard The boogie—woogie rumble Of a dream deferred? Listen closely:
Goin’ down the road, Lawd, Goin’ down the road. Down the road, Lawd, Way, way down the road. Got to find somebody
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.
Only dumb guys fight. If I wasn’t dumb I wouldn’t be fightin’. I could make six dollars a day On the docks
My old man’s a white old man And my old mother’s black. If ever I cursed my white old man I take my curses back. If ever I cursed my black old mot…