#Americans #Blacks #FreeVerse #RaceAndEthnicity #SocialCommentaries & Heroes Patriotism
When you turn the corner And you run into yourself Then you know that you have turned All the corners that are left
The census man, The day he came round, Wanted my name To put it down. I said, Johnson,
I sat there singing her Songs in the dark. She said; 'I do not understand The words’.
My name is Johnson— Madam Alberta K. The Madam stands for business. I’m smart that way. I had a
I would liken you To a night without stars Were it not for your eyes. I would liken you To a sleep without dreams
I got to leave this town. It’s a lonesome place. Got to leave this town cause It’s a lonesome place. A po’, po’ boy can’t
I worked for a woman, She wasn’t mean— But she had a twelve—room House to clean. Had to get breakfast,
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…
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…
In an envelope marked: PERSONAL God addressed me a letter. In an envelope marked: PERSONAL
Go home and write a page tonight. And let that page come out of you— Then, it will be true. I wonder if it’s that simple?
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,
I am God— Without one friend, Alone in my purity World without end. Below me young lovers
'Me an’ ma baby’s Got two mo’ ways, Two mo’ ways to do de Charleston!… Da, da, Da, da, da!
I’m all alone in this world, she s… Ain’t got nobody to share my bed, Ain’t got nobody to hold my hand— The truth of the matter’s I ain’t got no man.