#AmericanWriters
I could take the Harlem night and wrap around you, Take the neon lights and make a cr… Take the Lenox Avenue busses, Taxis, subways,
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’ve known rivers: I’ve known rivers ancient as the w… My soul has grown deep like the ri… I bathed in the Euphrates when da… I built my hut near the Congo and…
Here I sit With my shoes mismated. Lawdy—mercy! I’s frustrated!
God in His infinite wisdom Did not make me very wise— So when my actions are stupid They hardly take God by surprise
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!
Now dreams Are not available To the dreamers, Nor songs To the singers.
I would liken you To a night without stars Were it not for your eyes. I would liken you To a sleep without dreams
We passed their graves: The dead men there, Winners or losers, Did not care. In the dark
When the old junk man Death Comes to gather up our bodies And toss them into the sack of obl… I wonder if he will find The corpse of a white multi—millio…
How still, How strangely still The water is today, It is not good For water
It’s such a Bore Being always Poor.
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
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…
Listen! Dear dream of utter aliveness— Touching my body of utter death— Tell me, O quickly! dream of aliv… The flaming source of your bright…