#Americans #Blacks
The census man, The day he came round, Wanted my name To put it down. I said, Johnson,
The ivory gods, And the ebony gods, And the gods of diamond and jade, Sit silently on their temple shelv… While the people
In an envelope marked: PERSONAL God addressed me a letter. In an envelope marked: PERSONAL
By what sends the white kids I ain’t sent: I know I can’t be President.
Because my mouth Is wide with laughter And my throat Is deep with song, You do not think
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.
Down in the bass That steady beat Walking walking walking Like marching feet. Down in the bass
You and your whole race. Look down upon the town in which y… And be ashamed. Look down upon white folks And upon yourselves
Love Is a ripe plum Growing on a purple tree. Taste it once And the spell of its enchantment
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…
I work all day, Said Simple John, Myself a house to buy. I work all day, Said Simple John,
I know I am The Negro Problem Being wined and dined, Answering the usual questions That come to white mind
Being walkers with the dawn and mo… Walkers with the sun and morning, We are not afraid of night, Nor days of gloom, Nor darkness—
I would liken you To a night without stars Were it not for your eyes. I would liken you To a sleep without dreams
'Me an’ ma baby’s Got two mo’ ways, Two mo’ ways to do de Charleston!… Da, da, Da, da, da!
