#Americans #Blacks (January 2009) Poetry Source:
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…
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.…
You and your whole race. Look down upon the town in which y… And be ashamed. Look down upon white folks And upon yourselves
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,
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…
The census man, The day he came round, Wanted my name To put it down. I said, Johnson,
I live on a park bench. You, Park Avenue. Hell of a distance Between us two. I beg a dime for dinner—
He glides so swiftly Back into the grass— Gives me the courtesy of road To let me pass, That I am half ashamed
When I was home de Sunshine seemed like gold. When I was home de Sunshine seemed like gold. Since I come up North de
The night is beautiful, So the faces of my people. The stars are beautiful, So the eyes of my people. Beautiful, also, is the sun.
Here I sit With my shoes mismated. Lawdy—mercy! I’s frustrated!
The rent man knocked. He said, Howdy—do? I said, What Can I do for you? He said, You know
I went to the Gypsy’s. Gypsy settin’ all alone. I said, Tell me, Gypsy, When will my gal be home? Gypsy said, Silver,
When a man starts out with nothing… When a man starts out with his han… Empty, but clean, When a man starts to build a world… He starts first with himself
My old mule, He’s gota grin on his face. He’s been a mule so long He’s forgotten about his race. I’m like that old mule —