#AmericanWriters
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 work all day, Said Simple John, Myself a house to buy. I work all day, Said Simple John,
I would liken you To a night without stars Were it not for your eyes. I would liken you To a sleep without dreams
Landlord, landlord, My roof has sprung a leak. Don’t you 'member I told you abou… Way last week? Landlord, landlord,
Let America be America again. Let it be the dream it used to be. Let it be the pioneer on the plain Seeking a home where he himself is… (America never was America to me.…
Have you dug the spill Of Sugar Hill? Cast your gims On this sepia thrill: Brown sugar lassie,
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…
My name is Johnson— Madam Alberta K. The Madam stands for business. I’m smart that way. I had a
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
Hold fast to dreams For if dreams die Life is a broken-winged bird That cannot fly. Hold fast to dreams
I went down to the river, I set down on the bank. I tried to think but couldn’t, So I jumped in and sank. I came up once and hollered!
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.
I live on a park bench. You, Park Avenue. Hell of a distance Between us two. I beg a dime for dinner—
'Me an’ ma baby’s Got two mo’ ways, Two mo’ ways to do de Charleston!… Da, da, Da, da, da!
The calm, Cool face of the river Asked me for a kiss.