Poeticous Logo
en
English Español Français Italiano
Langston Hughes

Langston Hughes

I, Too
I, too, sing America.
 
I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.
 
Tomorrow,
I’ll be at the table
When company comes.
Nobody’ll dare
Say to me,
“Eat in the kitchen,”
Then.
 
Besides,
They’ll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed—
 
I, too, am America.

#AmericanWriters #BlackWriters #FreeVerse #RaceAndEthnicity #SocialCommentaries & Heroes Patriotism,

1
1
Enjoyed this read? Treat us to a coffee!.
Your help allows us to exist.
Liked or faved by...
Other works by Langston Hughes...
Freedom's Plow

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
Still Here

been scared and battered. My hopes the wind done scattered. Snow has friz me, Sun has baked me, Looks like between 'em they done
Ballad of the Gypsy

I went to the Gypsy’s. Gypsy settin’ all alone. I said, Tell me, Gypsy, When will my gal be home? Gypsy said, Silver,
 3
The Fourth Estate, by Giuseppe Pellizza da Volpedo
Oppression

Now dreams Are not available To the dreamers, Nor songs To the singers.
 1
Personal

In an envelope marked: PERSONAL God addressed me a letter. In an envelope marked: PERSONAL
 1
Silence

I catch the pattern Of your silence Before you speak I do not need To hear a word.
 2
Minstrel Man

Because my mouth Is wide with laughter And my throat Is deep with song, You do not think
 1
Life Is Fine

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!
 3
Prize Fighter

Only dumb guys fight. If I wasn’t dumb I wouldn’t be fightin’. I could make six dollars a day On the docks
Remember

Remember The days of bondage— And remembering— Do not stand still. Go to the highest hill
Harlem Sweeties

Have you dug the spill Of Sugar Hill? Cast your gims On this sepia thrill: Brown sugar lassie,
 2
Madam and the Rent Man

The rent man knocked. He said, Howdy—do? I said, What Can I do for you? He said, You know
 1
 2
Cross

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…
The Blues

When the shoe strings break On both your shoes And you’re in a hurry— That’s the blues. When you go to buy a candy bar
The Weary Blues

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…



Top