#AmericanWriters
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—
I live on a park bench. You, Park Avenue. Hell of a distance Between us two. I beg a dime for dinner—
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…
We passed their graves: The dead men there, Winners or losers, Did not care. In the dark
You sicken me with lies, With truthful lies. And with your pious faces. And your wide, out—stretched, mock—welcome, Christian hands.
been scared and battered. My hopes the wind done scattered. Snow has friz me, Sun has baked me, Looks like between 'em they done
Big Boy came Carrying a mermaid On his shoulders And the mermaid Had her tail
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…
Democracy will not come Today, this year Nor ever Through compromise and fear. I have as much right
My name is Johnson— Madam Alberta K. The Madam stands for business. I’m smart that way. I had a
Landlord, landlord, My roof has sprung a leak. Don’t you 'member I told you abou… Way last week? Landlord, landlord,
Harlem Sent him home in a long box— Too dead To know why:
I am your son, white man! Georgia dusk And the turpentine woods. One of the pillars of the temple f… You are my son!
Hold fast to dreams For if dreams die Life is a broken-winged bird That cannot fly. Hold fast to dreams
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…