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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xmlns:epub="http://www.idpf.org/2007/ops" lang="en-US" epub:prefix="z3998: http://www.daisy.org/z3998/2012/vocab/structure/, se: https://standardebooks.org/vocab/1.0" xml:lang="en-US">
<head>
<title>Poetry</title>
<meta content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" name="viewport"/>
<link rel="canonical" href="https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/langston-hughes/poetry/text/single-page" />
<style><![CDATA[
@namespace epub "http://www.idpf.org/2007/ops";
/* core.css */
body{
font-variant-numeric: oldstyle-nums;
hyphens: auto;
text-wrap: pretty;
}
p{
margin: 0;
text-indent: 1em;
}
hr{
border: none;
border-top: 1px solid;
height: 0;
margin: 1.5em auto;
width: 25%;
}
q::before,
q::after{
content: "";
}
blockquote{
margin: 1em 2.5em;
}
h1,
h2,
h3,
h4,
h5,
h6,
hgroup{
break-after: avoid;
break-inside: avoid;
font-variant: small-caps;
hyphens: none;
margin: 3em 0;
text-align: center;
}
/* simulate h3 in an hgroup */
hgroup h2 + p{
font-size: 1.17em;
}
/* simulate h4 in an hgroup */
hgroup h2 + p + p,
hgroup h3 + p{
font-size: 1em;
}
/* simulate h5 in an hgroup */
hgroup h2 + p + p + p,
hgroup h3 + p + p,
hgroup h4 + p{
font-size: .83em;
}
/* simulate h6 in an hgroup */
hgroup h2 + p + p + p + p,
hgroup h3 + p + p + p,
hgroup h4 + p + p,
hgroup h5 + p{
font-size: .67em;
}
hgroup > *{
font-weight: normal;
margin: 0;
}
hgroup > *:first-child{
font-weight: bold;
}
hgroup > p{
text-indent: 0;
}
p.continued,
h2 + p,
h3 + p,
h4 + p,
h5 + p,
h6 + p,
header + p,
hr + p,
hgroup + p,
p:first-child{
hanging-punctuation: first last;
text-indent: 0;
}
cite{
font-style: normal;
}
abbr{
border: none;
white-space: nowrap;
}
blockquote cite{
display: block;
font-style: italic;
text-align: right;
}
blockquote cite i{
font-style: normal;
}
b,
strong{
font-variant: small-caps;
font-weight: normal;
}
i > i,
em > i,
i > em{
font-style: normal;
}
ol,
ul{
margin-bottom: 1em;
margin-top: 1em;
}
header{
break-after: avoid;
break-inside: avoid;
hyphens: none;
text-align: center;
}
header > * + p{
text-indent: 0;
}
article > header + *,
section > header + *{
margin-top: 3em;
}
a[epub|type~="noteref"]{
font-size: smaller;
font-style: normal !important;
vertical-align: super;
}
section[epub|type~="endnotes"] > ol > li{
margin: 1em 0;
}
/* Invert images in dark mode. RMSDK requires a target media as well as a state. */
@media all and (prefers-color-scheme: dark){
img[epub|type~="se:image.color-depth.black-on-transparent"]{
filter: invert(100%);
}
img[epub|type~="se:image.color-depth.black-on-transparent"][epub|type~="se:image.style.realistic"]{
background: currentColor;
filter: none;
}
}
/* se.css */
/* This may appear in the colophon */
abbr[epub|type~="se:era"]{
font-variant: all-small-caps;
}
section[epub|type~="titlepage"] h1,
section[epub|type~="titlepage"] p,
section[epub|type~="colophon"] h2,
section[epub|type~="imprint"] h2{
left: -999em;
position: absolute;
}
section[epub|type~="titlepage"] img{
display: block;
margin: 3em auto auto auto;
width: 100%;
}
section[epub|type~="colophon"],
section[epub|type~="imprint"]{
text-align: center;
}
section[epub|type~="colophon"] header,
section[epub|type~="imprint"] header{
line-height: 0;
margin-top: 3em;
}
img[epub|type~="z3998:publisher-logo"]{
max-width: 25%;
width: 220px;
}
section[epub|type~="colophon"] p,
section[epub|type~="imprint"] p{
margin: 1em auto 0 auto;
text-indent: 0;
}
section[epub|type~="imprint"] p{
font-size: smaller;
text-align: justify;
width: 75%;
}
section[epub|type~="colophon"] p + p::before{
border-top: 1px solid;
content: "";
display: block;
margin: auto auto 1em auto;
width: 25%;
}
section[epub|type~="colophon"] p:nth-last-child(2) time{
font-variant: small-caps;
}
section[epub|type~="colophon"] a{
font-variant: small-caps;
}
section[epub|type~="imprint"] a,
section[epub|type~="colophon"] a{
hyphens: none;
}
section[epub|type~="copyright-page"] p{
margin: 1em auto;
text-indent: 0;
}
section[epub|type~="copyright-page"] blockquote p{
font-style: italic;
text-align: initial;
text-indent: 0;
}
section[epub|type~="copyright-page"] blockquote p span{
display: block;
padding-left: 1em;
text-indent: -1em;
}
section[epub|type~="copyright-page"] blockquote br{
display: none;
}
/* local.css */
article,
section{
break-after: page;
}
/* Begin bridgeheads */
[epub|type~="bridgehead"]{
display: inline-block;
font-style: italic;
max-width: 60%;
text-align: justify;
text-indent: 0;
}
[epub|type~="z3998:poem"] [epub|type~="bridgehead"],
[epub|type~="z3998:song"] [epub|type~="bridgehead"]{
text-align: justify;
}
/* End bridgeheads */
/* Begin epigraphs */
[epub|type~="epigraph"]{
font-style: italic;
hyphens: none;
}
[epub|type~="z3998:poem"] [epub|type~="epigraph"] p{
text-align: center;
}
/* End epigraphs */
/* Begin poetry */
[epub|type~="z3998:poem"] hgroup p,
[epub|type~="z3998:song"] hgroup p{
text-align: center;
}
[epub|type~="z3998:poem"] p,
[epub|type~="z3998:song"] p{
text-align: initial;
text-indent: 0;
}
[epub|type~="z3998:poem"] p > span,
[epub|type~="z3998:song"] p > span{
display: block;
padding-left: 1em;
text-indent: -1em;
}
[epub|type~="z3998:poem"] p > span + br,
[epub|type~="z3998:song"] p > span + br{
display: none;
}
[epub|type~="z3998:poem"] p + p,
[epub|type~="z3998:song"] p + p{
margin-top: 1em;
}
p span.i1{
padding-left: 2em;
text-indent: -1em;
}
p span.i2{
padding-left: 3em;
text-indent: -1em;
}
p span.i3{
padding-left: 4em;
text-indent: -1em;
}
p span.i4{
padding-left: 5em;
text-indent: -1em;
}
p span.i6{
padding-left: 7em;
text-indent: -1em;
}
/* End poetry */
[epub|type~="z3998:song"] div header p{
font-variant: small-caps;
margin: 1em;
text-align: center;
}
.dl3 span:first-child{
vertical-align: 200%;
}
.dl3 span:nth-child(2){
vertical-align: 100%;
}
#to-midnight-nan-at-leroys p:nth-of-type(2),
#to-midnight-nan-at-leroys p:nth-of-type(4){
font-style: italic;
}
#the-cat-and-the-saxophone b,
#harlem-night-club strong{
font-variant: normal;
text-transform: uppercase;
}
/* web.css */
body{
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
font-family: "Georgia", serif;
font-size: 18px;
margin: 0;
line-height: 1.5;
}
main{
flex-grow: 1;
margin: 5rem auto 3rem;
max-width: 55ch;
padding: 0 3rem;
width: calc(100% - 2 * 3rem); /* calc instead of box-sizing: border-box which would make max-width count padding */
}
body > header{
all: unset; /* Remove any properties set by selectors in the ebook itself */
background: #fff;
border-bottom: 1px solid #999;
box-shadow: 0 0 3px #ccc;
left: 0;
position: absolute;
right: 0;
top: 0;
z-index: 1000; /* Required so that SVGs don't scroll over the header */
}
body > header ul{
align-items: center;
display: flex;
list-style: none;
margin: 0;
padding: 1em;
gap: 1.5em;
}
body > header li:first-child{
margin-right: auto;
}
body > header li:first-child > a{
background: no-repeat center / 100% url("/images/logo-full.svg");
display: block;
font-size: 0;
height: 42px;
transition: transform 200ms ease;
width: 180px;
}
body > header li:first-child > a:hover{
transform: scale(1.025) rotate(1deg);
}
body > footer ul{
display: flex;
justify-content: space-between;
list-style: none;
margin: 0;
padding: 0.5em 1em;
}
body > footer li{
max-width: 40%;
}
body > main > section[epub|type~="titlepage"],
body > main > section[epub|type~="halftitlepage"]{
}
nav + section,
section + nav,
section + section,
section + article,
article + section,
article + article{
box-sizing: border-box;
margin-top: 12em !important;
padding: 0;
}
nav[epub|type~="toc"] ol{
list-style: none;
}
@media(max-width: 65ch){
main{
padding: 0 2rem;
width: calc(100% - 2 * 2rem);
}
section[epub|type~="imprint"] p{
width: 100%;
}
}
@media(max-width: 450px){
body > header > nav > ul{
flex-wrap: wrap;
}
body > header > nav > ul > li > a{
font-size: .8rem;
}
body > header li:first-child > a{
background: no-repeat center / 100% url("/images/logo-small.svg");
width: 31px;
height: 20px;
}
}
@media(prefers-color-scheme: dark){
body,
body > header{
background: #222222;
color: #ffffff;
}
/* These three link colors provide WCAG AAA compliance at 16px */
a:link{
color: #6bb9f0;
}
a:active{
color: #e6cc22;
}
a:visited{
color: #dda0dd;
}
body > header li:first-child > a,
img[epub|type~="se:image.color-depth.black-on-transparent"]{
filter: invert(1);
}
}
/* As of July 2022 Chrome on Android doesn't yet understand `or (pointer: none)`
and will just drop this entire query together if it's included. */
@media(pointer: coarse){
body > header{
position: fixed;
}
body > header li:first-child > a{
height: 21px;
width: 90px;
}
nav[epub|type~="toc"] ol li{
margin-bottom: 2em;
margin-top: 2em;
}
*:target{
scroll-margin-top: 4em;
}
}
@media((max-width: 450px) and (pointer: coarse)){
body > header li:first-child > a{
width: 31px;
height: 20px;
}
}
]]></style>
</head>
<body><main>
<section id="titlepage" epub:type="titlepage frontmatter">
<h1 epub:type="title">Poetry</h1>
<p>By <b epub:type="z3998:author z3998:personal-name">Langston Hughes</b>.</p>
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epub:type="se:image.color-depth.black-on-transparent"/>
</section>
<nav id="toc" epub:type="toc">
<h2 epub:type="title">Table of Contents</h2>
<ol>
<li>
<a href="#titlepage">Titlepage</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#imprint">Imprint</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#fairies">Fairies</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#winter-sweetness">Winter Sweetness</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#signs-of-spring">Signs of Spring</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#an-april-rain-song">An April Rain Song</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#the-negro-speaks-of-rivers">The Negro Speaks of Rivers</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#aunt-sues-stories">Aunt Sue’s Stories</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#the-lament-of-a-vanquished-beau">The Lament of a Vanquished Beau</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#mister-sandman">Mister Sandman</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#autumn-thought">Autumn Thought</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#thanksgiving-time">Thanksgiving Time</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#the-negro">The Negro</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#question">Question</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#mexican-market-woman">Mexican Market Woman</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#the-new-moon">The New Moon</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#to-a-dead-friend">To a Dead Friend</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#my-loves">My Loves</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#the-south">The South</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#laughers">Laughers</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#danse-africaine" lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Danse Africaine</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#after-many-springs">After Many Springs</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#beggar-boy">Beggar Boy</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#song-for-a-banjo-dance">Song for a Banjo Dance</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#mother-to-son">Mother to Son</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#when-sue-wears-red">When Sue Wears Red</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#a-black-pierrot">A Black Pierrot</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#justice">Justice</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#monotony">Monotony</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#dreams">Dreams</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#poem-for-the-portrait-of-an-african-boy-after-the-manner-of-gauguin">Poem: For the Portrait of an African Boy After the Manner of Gauguin</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#our-land">Our Land</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#the-last-feast-of-belshazzar">The Last Feast of Belshazzar</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#young-prostitute">Young Prostitute</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#jazzonia">Jazzonia</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#shadows">Shadows</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#cabaret">Cabaret</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#winter-moon">Winter Moon</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#young-singer">Young Singer</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#prayer-meeting">Prayer Meeting</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#poem-the-night-is-beautiful">Poem: The Night Is Beautiful</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#the-little-frightened-child">The Little Frightened Child</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#my-beloved">My Beloved</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#the-white-ones">The White Ones</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#grant-park">Grant Park</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#gods">Gods</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#fire-caught">Fire-Caught</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#song-for-a-suicide">Song for a Suicide</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#prayer-for-a-winter-night">Prayer for a Winter Night</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#lament-for-dark-peoples">Lament for Dark Peoples</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#fascination">Fascination</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#poem-we-have-tomorrow">Poem: We Have Tomorrow</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#mammy">Mammy</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#dream-variation">Dream Variation</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#afraid">Afraid</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#subway-face">Subway Face</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#a-song-to-a-negro-wash-woman">A Song to a Negro Wash-Woman</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#the-poppy-flower">The Poppy Flower</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#troubled-woman">Troubled Woman</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#johannesburg-mines">Johannesburg Mines</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#to-certain-intellectuals">To Certain Intellectuals</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#steel-mills">Steel Mills</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#negro-dancer">Negro Dancer</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#liars">Liars</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#sea-charm">Sea Charm</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#the-dream-keeper">The Dream Keeper</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#song-lovely-dark-and-lonely-one">Song: Lovely, Dark, and Lonely One</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#poem-being-walkers-with-the-dawn-and-morning">Poem: Being Walkers with the Dawn and Morning</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#an-earth-song">An Earth Song</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#i-too">I Too</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#drama-for-winter-night">Drama for Winter Night</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#god-to-hungry-child">God to Hungry Child</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#poem-to-a-dead-soldier">Poem to a Dead Soldier</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#park-benching">Park Benching</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#rising-waters">Rising Waters</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#the-weary-blues">The Weary Blues</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#prayer">Prayer</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#poem-to-f-s">Poem: To <abbr class="eoc" epub:type="z3998:personal-name">F. S.</abbr></a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#america">America</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#to-certain-brothers">To Certain “Brothers”</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#suicides-note">Suicide’s Note</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#fantasy-in-purple">Fantasy in Purple</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#to-midnight-nan-at-leroys">To Midnight Nan at Leroy’s</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#young-bride">Young Bridge</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#the-jester">The Jester</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#soledad">Soledad</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#poem-to-the-black-beloved">Poem: To the Black Beloved</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#cross">Cross</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#summer-night">Summer Night</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#disillusion">Disillusion</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#jazz-band-in-a-parisian-cabaret">Jazz Band in a Parisian Cabaret</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#minstrel-man">Minstrel Man</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#nude-young-dancer">Nude Young Dancer</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#songs-to-the-dark-virgin">Songs to the Dark Virgin</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#young-sailor">Young Sailor</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#joy">Joy</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#strange-hurt-she-knew">Strange Hurt She Knew</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#star-seeker">Star Seeker</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#lullaby">Lullaby</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#salome">Salome</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#the-ring">The Ring</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#midwinter-blues">Midwinter Blues</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#gypsy-man">Gypsy Man</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#ma-man">Ma Man</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#love-song-for-lucinda">Love Song for Lucinda</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#teacher">Teacher</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#minnie-sings-her-blues">Minnie Sings Her Blues</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#listen-here-blues">Listen Here Blues</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#fortune-teller-blues">Fortune Teller Blues</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#judgment-day">Judgment Day</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#wide-river">Wide River</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#homesick-blues">Homesick Blues</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#ruby-brown">Ruby Brown</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#formula">Formula</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#autumn-note">Autumn Note</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#for-dead-mimes">For Dead Mimes</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#new-year">New Year</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#epitaph">Epitaph</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#to-beauty">To Beauty</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#bound-noth-blues">Bound No’th Blues</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#lonesome-place">Lonesome Place</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#misery">Misery</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#bad-luck-card">Bad Luck Card</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#feet-o-jesus">Feet o’ Jesus</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#down-an-out">Down an’ Out</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#fog">Fog</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#pictures-to-the-wall">Pictures to the Wall</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#walls">Walls</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#beale-street-love">Beale Street Love</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#dressed-up">Dressed Up</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#a-house-in-taos">A House in Taos</a>
<ol>
<li>
<a href="#a-house-in-taos-rain">Rain</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#a-house-in-taos-sun">Sun</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#a-house-in-taos-moon">Moon</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#a-house-in-taos-wind">Wind</a>
</li>
</ol>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#suicide">Suicide</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#hard-luck">Hard Luck</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#po-boy-blues">Po’ Boy Blues</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#red-roses">Red Roses</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#railroad-adventure">Railroad Adventure</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#elevator-boy">Elevator Boy</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#stars">Stars</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#brass-spitoons">Brass Spitoons</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#the-new-cabaret-girl">The New Cabaret Girl</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#argument">Argument</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#saturday-night">Saturday Night</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#the-cat-and-the-saxophone">The Cat and the Saxophone</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#to-a-little-lover-lass-dead">To a Little Lover-Lass, Dead</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#harlem-night-club">Harlem Night Club</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#to-a-black-dancer-in-the-little-savoy">To a Black Dancer in “The Little Savoy”</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#blues-fantasy">Blues Fantasy</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#lenox-avenue-midnight">Lenox Avenue: Midnight</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#poeme-d-automne" lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Poème d’Automne</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#march-moon">March Moon</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#as-i-grew-older">As I Grew Older</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#harlem-night-song">Harlem Night Song</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#ardella">Ardella</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#pierrot">Pierrot</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#waterfront-streets">Water-Front Streets</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#a-farewell">A Farewell</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#long-trip">Long Trip</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#port-town">Port Town</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#sea-calm">Sea Calm</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#caribbean-sunset">Caribbean Sunset</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#natcha">Natcha</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#death-of-an-old-seaman">Death of an Old Seaman</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#sick-room">Sick Room</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#to-the-dark-mercedes-of-el-palacio-de-amor">To the Dark Mercedes of “El Palacio de Amor”</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#mulatto">Mulatto</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#a-letter-to-anne">A Letter to Anne</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#in-the-mist-of-the-moon">In the Mist of the Moon</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#song-rocks-and-the-firm-roots-of-trees">Song: Rocks and the Firm Roots of Trees</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#for-an-indian-screen">For an Indian Screen</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#day">Day</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#passing-love">Passing Love</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#lincoln-monument">Lincoln Monument</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#song-for-a-dark-girl">Song for a Dark Girl</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#gals-cry-for-a-dying-lover">Gal’s Cry for a Dying Lover</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#desire">Desire</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#bulwark">Bulwark</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#wise-men">Wise Men</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#poem-for-youth">Poem for Youth</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#the-naughty-child">The Naughty Child</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#mona">Mona</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#ma-lord">Ma Lord</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#tapestry">Tapestry</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#nocturne-for-the-drums">Nocturne for the Drums</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#success">Success</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#being-old">Being Old</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#montmartre-beggar-woman">Montmartre Beggar Woman</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#i-thought-it-was-tangiers-i-wanted">I Thought It Was Tangiers I Wanted</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#dreamer">Dreamer</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#hey">Hey!</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#hey-hey">Hey! Hey!</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#bad-man">Bad Man</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#closing-time">Closing Time</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#prize-fighter">Prize Fighter</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#crap-game">Crap Game</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#ballad-of-gin-mary">Ballad of Gin Mary</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#death-of-do-dirty">Death of Do Dirty</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#porter">Porter</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#sport">Sport</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#shout">Shout</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#fire">Fire</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#moan">Moan</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#angels-wings">Angels Wings</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#sinner">Sinner</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#cora">Cora</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#workin-man">Workin’ Man</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#baby">Baby</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#evil-woman">Evil Woman</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#a-ruined-gal">A Ruined Gal</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#sun-song">Sun Song</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#magnolia-flowers">Magnolia Flowers</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#red-silk-stockings">Red Silk Stockings</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#young-gals-blues">Young Gal’s Blues</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#hard-daddy">Hard Daddy</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#sunset-coney-island">Sunset—Coney Island</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#nonette">Nonette</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#lovers-return">Lover’s Return</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#mazie-dies-alone-in-the-city-hospital">Mazie Dies Alone in the City Hospital</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#hurt">Hurt</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#lady-in-cabaret">Lady in Cabaret</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#colophon">Colophon</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#uncopyright">Uncopyright</a>
</li>
</ol>
</nav>
<section id="imprint" epub:type="imprint frontmatter">
<header>
<h2 epub:type="title">Imprint</h2>
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epub:type="z3998:publisher-logo se:image.color-depth.black-on-transparent"/>
</header>
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<p>This particular ebook is based on transcriptions from <a href="https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/langston-hughes/poetry#transcriptions">various sources</a> and on digital scans from <a href="https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/langston-hughes/poetry#page-scans">various sources</a>.</p>
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<p>Standard Ebooks is a volunteer-driven project that produces ebook editions of public domain literature using modern typography, technology, and editorial standards, and distributes them free of cost. You can download this and other ebooks carefully produced for true book lovers at <a href="https://standardebooks.org/">standardebooks.org</a>.</p>
</section>
<article id="fairies" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Fairies</h2>
<p>
<span>Out of the dust of dreams,</span>
<br/>
<span>Fairies weave their garments;</span>
<br/>
<span>Out of the purple and rose of old memories,</span>
<br/>
<span>They make rainbow wings.</span>
<br/>
<span>No wonder we find them such marvellous things!</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="winter-sweetness" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Winter Sweetness</h2>
<p>
<span>The little house is sugar,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Its roof with snow is piled,</span>
<br/>
<span>And from its tiny window,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Peeps a maple-sugar child.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="signs-of-spring" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Signs of Spring</h2>
<p>
<span>Bright, jolly sunshine and clear blue skies,</span>
<br/>
<span>Green trees and gardens and gay butterflies,</span>
<br/>
<span>Soft little winds that balmy blow,</span>
<br/>
<span>A golden moon with a love light glow,</span>
<br/>
<span>And the music of bird songs, blithe and clear,</span>
<br/>
<span>Are the things which tell us that Spring is here.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="an-april-rain-song" epub:type="z3998:song bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">An April Rain Song</h2>
<p>
<span>Let the rain kiss you.</span>
<br/>
<span>Let the rain beat upon your head</span>
<br/>
<span>With silver liquid drops.</span>
<br/>
<span>Let the rain sing you a lullaby</span>
<br/>
<span>With its pitty-pat.</span>
<br/>
<span>The rain makes still pools on the sidewalk.</span>
<br/>
<span>The rain makes running pools in the gutter.</span>
<br/>
<span>The rain plays a little sleep tune</span>
<br/>
<span>On our roof at night,</span>
<br/>
<span>And I love the rain.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="the-negro-speaks-of-rivers" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<header>
<h2 epub:type="title">The Negro Speaks of Rivers</h2>
<p epub:type="bridgehead">(To <abbr epub:type="z3998:given-name">W. E. B.</abbr> DuBois)</p>
</header>
<p>
<span>I’ve known rivers:</span>
<br/>
<span>I’ve known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>My soul has grown deep like the rivers.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young.</span>
<br/>
<span>I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep.</span>
<br/>
<span>I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it.</span>
<br/>
<span>I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln went down to New Orleans, and I’ve seen its muddy bosom turn all golden in the sunset.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I’ve known rivers:</span>
<br/>
<span>Ancient, dusky rivers.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>My soul has grown deep like the rivers.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="aunt-sues-stories" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Aunt Sue’s Stories</h2>
<p>
<span>Aunt Sue has a head full of stories.</span>
<br/>
<span>Aunt Sue has a whole heart full of stories.</span>
<br/>
<span>Summer nights on the front porch</span>
<br/>
<span>Aunt Sue cuddles a brown-faced child to her bosom</span>
<br/>
<span>And tells him stories.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Black slaves</span>
<br/>
<span>Working in the hot sun,</span>
<br/>
<span>And black slaves</span>
<br/>
<span>Walking in the dewy night,</span>
<br/>
<span>And black slaves</span>
<br/>
<span>Singing sorrow songs on the banks of a mighty river</span>
<br/>
<span>Mingle themselves softly</span>
<br/>
<span>In the flow of old Aunt Sue’s voice,</span>
<br/>
<span>Mingle themselves softly</span>
<br/>
<span>In the dark shadows that cross and recross</span>
<br/>
<span>Aunt Sue’s stories.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>And the dark-faced child, listening,</span>
<br/>
<span>Knows that Aunt Sue’s stories are real stories.</span>
<br/>
<span>He knows that Aunt Sue</span>
<br/>
<span>Never got her stories out of any book at all,</span>
<br/>
<span>But that they came</span>
<br/>
<span>Right out of her own life.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>And the dark-faced child is quiet</span>
<br/>
<span>Of a summer night</span>
<br/>
<span>Listening to Aunt Sue’s stories.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="the-lament-of-a-vanquished-beau" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">The Lament of a Vanquished Beau</h2>
<p>
<span>Willy is a silly boy,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Willy is a cad.</span>
<br/>
<span>Willy is a foolish kid,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Sense he never had.</span>
<br/>
<span>Yet all the girls like Willy⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Why I cannot see⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">He even took my best girl</span>
<br/>
<span>Right away from me.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I asked him did he want to fight,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">But all he did was grin</span>
<br/>
<span>And answer, “Don’t be guilty</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Of such a brutal sin.”</span>
<br/>
<span>Oh, Willy’s sure a silly boy,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">He really is a cad,</span>
<br/>
<span>Because he took the only girl</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">That I ’most ever had.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Her hair’s so long and pretty</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">And her eyes are very gay;</span>
<br/>
<span>I guess that she likes Willy</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">’Cause he’s handsome, too, they say.</span>
<br/>
<span>But for me, he’s not good looking;</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">And he sure has made me mad,</span>
<br/>
<span>’Cause he went and took the only girl</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">That I ’most ever had.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="mister-sandman" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Mister Sandman</h2>
<p>
<span>The Sandman walks abroad tonight,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">With his canvas sack o’ dreams filled tight.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Over the roofs of the little town,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">The golden face of the moon looks down.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Each Mary and Willy and Cora and Ned</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Is sound asleep in some cozy bed,</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>When the Sandman opens his magic sack</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">To select the dreams from his wonder pack.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>“Ah,” says the Sandman, “To this little girl</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">I’ll send a dream like a precious pearl.”</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>So to Mary Jane, who’s been good all day,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">A fairy comes in her sleep to play;</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>But for Corinne Ann, who teased the cat,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">There’s a horrid dream of a horrid rat,</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>And the greedy boy, with his stomach too full,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Has a bad, bad dream of a raging bull;</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>While for tiny babes, a few days old,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Come misty dreams, all rose and gold.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>And for every girl and every boy</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">The Sandman has dreams that can please or annoy.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>When at pink-white dawn, with his night’s work done,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">He takes the road toward the rising sun,</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>He goes straight on without a pause</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">To his house in the land of Santa Claus.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>But at purple night-fall he’s back again</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">To distribute his dreams, be it moon light or rain;</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>And good little children get lovely sleep toys;</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">But woe to the bad little girls and boys!</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>For those who’d have dreams that are charming and sweet,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Must be good in the day and not stuff when they eat,</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>’Cause old Mister Sandman, abroad each night,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Has a dream in his sack to fit each child just right.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="autumn-thought" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Autumn Thought</h2>
<p>
<span>Flowers are happy in summer;</span>
<br/>
<span>In autumn they die and are blown away.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">Dry and withered,</span>
<br/>
<span>Their petals dance on the wind,</span>
<br/>
<span>Like little brown butterflies.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="thanksgiving-time" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Thanksgiving Time</h2>
<p>
<span>When the night winds whistle through the trees and blow the crisp brown leaves a-crackling down,</span>
<br/>
<span>When the autumn moon is big and yellow-orange and round,</span>
<br/>
<span>When old Jack Frost is sparkling on the ground,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">It’s Thanksgiving time!</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>When the pantry jars are full of mince-meat and the shelves are laden with sweet spices for a cake,</span>
<br/>
<span>When the butcher man sends up a turkey nice and fat to bake,</span>
<br/>
<span>When the stores are crammed with everything ingenious cooks can make,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">It’s Thanksgiving time!</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>When the gales of coming winter outside your window howl,</span>
<br/>
<span>When the air is sharp and cheery so it drives away your scowl,</span>
<br/>
<span>When one’s appetite craves turkey and will have no other fowl,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">It’s Thanksgiving time!</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="the-negro" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">The Negro</h2>
<p>
<span>I am a Negro:</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Black as the night is black,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Black like the depths of my Africa.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I’ve been a slave:</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Caesar told me to keep his door-steps clean.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">I brushed the boots of Washington.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I’ve been a worker:</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Under my hand the pyramids arose.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">I made mortar for the Woolworth Building.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I’ve been a singer:</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">All the way from Africa to Georgia</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">I carried my sorrow songs.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">I made ragtime.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I’ve been a victim:</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">The Belgians cut off my hands in the Congo.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">They lynch me now in Texas.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I am a Negro:</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Black as the night is black,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Black like the depths of my Africa.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="question" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Question</h2>
<p>
<span>When the old junk man Death</span>
<br/>
<span>Comes to gather up our bodies</span>
<br/>
<span>And toss them into the sack of oblivion,</span>
<br/>
<span>I wonder if he will find</span>
<br/>
<span>The corpse of a white multimillionaire</span>
<br/>
<span>Worth more pennies of eternity,</span>
<br/>
<span>Than the black torso of</span>
<br/>
<span>A Negro cotton-picker?</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="mexican-market-woman" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Mexican Market Woman</h2>
<p>
<span>This ancient hag</span>
<br/>
<span>Who sits upon the ground</span>
<br/>
<span>Selling her scanty wares</span>
<br/>
<span>Day in, day round,</span>
<br/>
<span>Has known high wind-swept mountains,</span>
<br/>
<span>And the sun has made</span>
<br/>
<span>Her skin so brown.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="the-new-moon" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">The New Moon</h2>
<p>
<span>There’s a new, young moon riding the hills tonight;</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>There’s a sprightly, young moon exploring the clouds;</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>There’s a half-shy, young moon veiling her face like a virgin,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i4">Waiting for her lover.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="to-a-dead-friend" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">To a Dead Friend</h2>
<p>
<span>The moon still sends its mellow light</span>
<br/>
<span>Through the purple blackness of the night;</span>
<br/>
<span>The morning star is palely bright</span>
<br/>
<span class="i6">Before the dawn.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>The sun still shines just as before;</span>
<br/>
<span>The rose still grows beside my door,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i6">But you have gone.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>The sky is blue and the robin sings;</span>
<br/>
<span>The butterflies dance on rainbow wings</span>
<br/>
<span class="i6">Though I am sad.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>In all the earth no joy can be;</span>
<br/>
<span>Happiness comes no more to me,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i6">For you are dead.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="my-loves" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">My Loves</h2>
<p>
<span>I love to see the big white moon,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">A-shining in the sky;</span>
<br/>
<span>I love to see the little stars,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">When the shadow clouds go by.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I love the rain drops falling</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">On my roof-top in the night;</span>
<br/>
<span>I love the soft wind’s sighing,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Before the dawn’s gray light.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I love the deepness of the blue,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">In my Lord’s heaven above;</span>
<br/>
<span>But better than all these things I think,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">I love my lady love.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="the-south" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">The South</h2>
<p>
<span>The lazy, laughing South</span>
<br/>
<span>With blood on its mouth.</span>
<br/>
<span>The sunny-faced South,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Beast-strong,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Idiot-brained.</span>
<br/>
<span>The child-minded South</span>
<br/>
<span>Scratching in the dead fire’s ashes</span>
<br/>
<span>For a Negro’s bones.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Cotton and the moon,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Warmth, earth, warmth,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">The sky, the sun, the stars,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">The magnolia-scented South.</span>
<br/>
<span>Beautiful, like a woman,</span>
<br/>
<span>Seductive as a dark-eyed whore,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Passionate, cruel,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Honey-lipped, syphilitic⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">That is the South.</span>
<br/>
<span>And I, who am black, would love her</span>
<br/>
<span>But she spits in my face.</span>
<br/>
<span>And I, who am black,</span>
<br/>
<span>Would give her many rare gifts</span>
<br/>
<span>But she turns her back upon me.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">So now I seek the North⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">The cold-faced North,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">For she, they say,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Is a kinder mistress,</span>
<br/>
<span>And in her house my children</span>
<br/>
<span>May escape the spell of the South.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="laughers" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Laughers</h2>
<p>
<span>Dream singers,</span>
<br/>
<span>Story tellers,</span>
<br/>
<span>Dancers,</span>
<br/>
<span>Loud laughers in the hands of Fate⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">My people.</span>
<br/>
<span>Dish-washers,</span>
<br/>
<span>Elevator-boys,</span>
<br/>
<span>Ladies’ maids,</span>
<br/>
<span>Crap-shooters,</span>
<br/>
<span>Cooks,</span>
<br/>
<span>Waiters,</span>
<br/>
<span>Jazzers,</span>
<br/>
<span>Nurses of babies,</span>
<br/>
<span>Loaders of ships,</span>
<br/>
<span>Rounders,</span>
<br/>
<span>Number writers,</span>
<br/>
<span>Comedians in vaudeville</span>
<br/>
<span>And band-men in circuses⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>Dream-singers all⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">My people.</span>
<br/>
<span>Story-tellers all⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">My people.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Dancers⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>God! What dancers!</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Singers⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>God! What singers!</span>
<br/>
<span>Singers and dancers,</span>
<br/>
<span>Dancers and laughers.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Laughers?</span>
<br/>
<span>Yes, laughers⁠ ⁠… laughers⁠ ⁠… laughers⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>Loud-mouthed laughers in the hands</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Of Fate.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="danse-africaine" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 lang="fr" epub:type="title" xml:lang="fr">Danse Africaine</h2>
<p>
<span>The low beating of the tom-toms,</span>
<br/>
<span>The slow beating of the tom-toms,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Low⁠ ⁠… slow</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Slow⁠ ⁠… low⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Stirs your blood.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Dance!</span>
<br/>
<span>A night-veiled girl</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Whirls softly into a</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Circle of light.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Whirls softly⁠ ⁠… slowly,</span>
<br/>
<span>Like a wisp of smoke around the fire⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">And the tom-toms beat,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">And the tom-toms beat,</span>
<br/>
<span>And the low beating of the tom-toms</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Stirs your blood.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="after-many-springs" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">After Many Springs</h2>
<p>
<span>Now,</span>
<br/>
<span>In June,</span>
<br/>
<span>When the night is a vast softness</span>
<br/>
<span>Filled with blue stars,</span>
<br/>
<span>And broken shafts of moon-glimmer</span>
<br/>
<span>Fall upon the earth,</span>
<br/>
<span>Am I too old to see the fairies dance?</span>
<br/>
<span>I cannot find them any more.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="beggar-boy" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Beggar Boy</h2>
<p>
<span>What is there within this beggar lad</span>
<br/>
<span>That I can neither hear nor feel nor see,</span>
<br/>
<span>That I can neither know nor understand</span>
<br/>
<span>And still it calls to me?</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Is not he but a shadow in the sun⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>A bit of clay, brown, ugly, given life?</span>
<br/>
<span>And yet he plays upon his flute a wild free tune</span>
<br/>
<span>As if Fate had not bled him with her knife!</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="song-for-a-banjo-dance" epub:type="z3998:song bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Song for a Banjo Dance</h2>
<p>
<span>Shake your brown feet, honey,</span>
<br/>
<span>Shake your brown feet, chile,</span>
<br/>
<span>Shake your brown feet, honey,</span>
<br/>
<span>Shake ’em swift and wil’⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Get way back, honey,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Do that low-down step.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Walk on over, darling,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Now! Come out</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">With your left.</span>
<br/>
<span>Shake your brown feet, honey,</span>
<br/>
<span>Shake ’em, honey chile.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Sun’s going down this evening⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>Might never rise no mo’.</span>
<br/>
<span>The sun’s going down this very night⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>Might never rise no mo’⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>So dance with swift feet, honey,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">(The banjo’s sobbing low)</span>
<br/>
<span>Dance with swift feet, honey⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Might never dance no mo’.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Shake your brown feet, Liza,</span>
<br/>
<span>Shake ’em, Liza, chile,</span>
<br/>
<span>Shake your brown feet, Liza,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">(The music’s soft and wil’)</span>
<br/>
<span>Shake your brown feet, Liza,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">(The banjo’s sobbing low)</span>
<br/>
<span>The sun’s going down this very night⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Might never rise no mo’.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="mother-to-son" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Mother to Son</h2>
<p>
<span>Well, son, I’ll tell you:</span>
<br/>
<span>Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.</span>
<br/>
<span>It’s had tacks in it,</span>
<br/>
<span>And splinters,</span>
<br/>
<span>And boards torn up,</span>
<br/>
<span>And places with no carpet on the floor⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>Bare;</span>
<br/>
<span>But all the time</span>
<br/>
<span>I’se been a-climbin’ on,</span>
<br/>
<span>And reachin’ landin’s,</span>
<br/>
<span>And turnin’ corners,</span>
<br/>
<span>And sometimes goin’ in the dark,</span>
<br/>
<span>Where there ain’t been no light.</span>
<br/>
<span>So boy, don’t you turn back;</span>
<br/>
<span>Don’t you sit down on the steps,</span>
<br/>
<span>’Cause you finds it’s kinder hard;</span>
<br/>
<span>Don’t you fall now⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>For I’se still goin’, honey,</span>
<br/>
<span>I’se still climbin’,</span>
<br/>
<span>And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="when-sue-wears-red" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">When Sue Wears Red</h2>
<p>
<span>When Susanna Jones wears red</span>
<br/>
<span>Her face is like an ancient cameo</span>
<br/>
<span>Turned brown by the ages.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Come with a blast of trumpets,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Jesus!</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>When Susanna Jones wears red</span>
<br/>
<span>A queen from some time-dead Egyptian night</span>
<br/>
<span>Walks once again.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Blow trumpets, Jesus!</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>And the beauty of Susanna Jones in red</span>
<br/>
<span>Burns in my heart a love-fire sharp like pain.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Sweet silver trumpets,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Jesus!</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="a-black-pierrot" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">A Black Pierrot</h2>
<p>
<span>I am a black Pierrot:</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">She did not love me,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">So I crept away into the night</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">And the night was black, too.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I am a black Pierrot:</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">She did not love me,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">So I wept until the red dawn</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">Dripped blood over the eastern hills</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">And my heart was bleeding, too.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I am a black Pierrot:</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">She did not love me,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">So with my once gay-colored soul</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">Shrunken like a balloon without air,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">I went forth in the morning</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">To seek a new brown love.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="justice" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Justice</h2>
<p>
<span>That Justice is a blind goddess</span>
<br/>
<span>Is a thing to which we black are wise.</span>
<br/>
<span>Her bandage hides two festering sores</span>
<br/>
<span>That once, perhaps, were eyes.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="monotony" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Monotony</h2>
<p>
<span>Today like yesterday</span>
<br/>
<span>Tomorrow like today;</span>
<br/>
<span>The drip, drip, drip,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Of monotony</span>
<br/>
<span>Is wearing my life away;</span>
<br/>
<span>Today like yesterday,</span>
<br/>
<span>Tomorrow like today.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="dreams" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Dreams</h2>
<p>
<span>Hold fast to dreams, my son,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">For if dreams die</span>
<br/>
<span>Life is a broken-winged bird</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">That cannot fly.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Hold fast to dreams, O boy,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">For when dreams go</span>
<br/>
<span>Life is a barren field</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Frozen with snow.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="poem-for-the-portrait-of-an-african-boy-after-the-manner-of-gauguin" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<hgroup>
<h2 epub:type="title">Poem</h2>
<p epub:type="subtitle">For the Portrait of an African Boy After the Manner of Gauguin</p>
</hgroup>
<p>
<span>All the tom-toms of the jungles beat in my blood,</span>
<br/>
<span>And all the wild hot moons of the jungles shine in my soul.</span>
<br/>
<span>I am afraid of this civilization⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">So hard,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i4">So strong,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i6">So cold.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="our-land" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<hgroup>
<h2 epub:type="title">Our Land</h2>
<p epub:type="subtitle">Poem for a Decorative Panel</p>
</hgroup>
<p>
<span>We should have a land of sun,</span>
<br/>
<span>Of gorgeous sun,</span>
<br/>
<span>And a land of fragrant water</span>
<br/>
<span>Where the twilight</span>
<br/>
<span>Is a soft bandana handkerchief</span>
<br/>
<span>Of rose and gold,</span>
<br/>
<span>And not this land where life is cold.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>We should have a land of trees,</span>
<br/>
<span>Of tall thick trees</span>
<br/>
<span>Bowed down with chattering parrots</span>
<br/>
<span>Brilliant as the day,</span>
<br/>
<span>And not this land where birds are grey.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Ah, we should have a land of joy,</span>
<br/>
<span>Of love and joy and wine and song,</span>
<br/>
<span>And not this land where joy is wrong.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Oh, sweet, away!</span>
<br/>
<span>Ah, my beloved one, away!</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="the-last-feast-of-belshazzar" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">The Last Feast of Belshazzar</h2>
<p>
<span>The jeweled entrails of pomegranates bled on the marble floor.</span>
<br/>
<span>The jewel-heart of a virgin broke at the golden door.</span>
<br/>
<span>The laughter of a drunken lord hid the sob of a silken whore.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span><i lang="arc-Latn" xml:lang="arc-Latn">Mene</i>,</span>
<br/>
<span>Wrote a strange hand,</span>
<br/>
<span><i lang="arc-Latn" xml:lang="arc-Latn">Mene Tekel Upharsin</i>⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>And Death stood at the door.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="young-prostitute" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Young Prostitute</h2>
<p>
<span>Her dark brown face</span>
<br/>
<span>Is like a withered flower</span>
<br/>
<span>On a broken stem.</span>
<br/>
<span>Those kind come cheap in Harlem</span>
<br/>
<span>So they say.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="jazzonia" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Jazzonia</h2>
<p>
<span>Oh, silver tree!</span>
<br/>
<span>Oh, shining rivers of the soul!</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>In a Harlem cabaret</span>
<br/>
<span>Six long-headed jazzers play.</span>
<br/>
<span>A dancing girl whose eyes are bold</span>
<br/>
<span>Lifts high a dress of silken gold.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Oh, singing tree!</span>
<br/>
<span>Oh, shining rivers of the soul!</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Were Eve’s eyes</span>
<br/>
<span>In the first garden</span>
<br/>
<span>Just a bit too bold?</span>
<br/>
<span>Was Cleopatra gorgeous</span>
<br/>
<span>In a gown of gold?</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Oh, shining tree!</span>
<br/>
<span>Oh, silver rivers of the soul!</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>In a whirling cabaret</span>
<br/>
<span>Six long-headed jazzers play.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="shadows" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Shadows</h2>
<p>
<span>We run,</span>
<br/>
<span>We run,</span>
<br/>
<span>We cannot stand these shadows!</span>
<br/>
<span>Give us the sun.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>We were not made</span>
<br/>
<span>For shade,</span>
<br/>
<span>For heavy shade,</span>
<br/>
<span>And narrow space of stifling air</span>
<br/>
<span>That these white things have made.</span>
<br/>
<span>We run,</span>
<br/>
<span>Oh, God,</span>
<br/>
<span>We run!</span>
<br/>
<span>We must break through these shadows,</span>
<br/>
<span>We must find the sun.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="cabaret" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Cabaret</h2>
<p>
<span>Does a jazz-band ever sob?</span>
<br/>
<span>They say a jazz-band’s gay.</span>
<br/>
<span>Yet as the vulgar dancers whirled</span>
<br/>
<span>And the wan night wore away,</span>
<br/>
<span>One said she heard the jazz-band sob</span>
<br/>
<span>When the little dawn was grey.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="winter-moon" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Winter Moon</h2>
<p>
<span>How thin and sharp is the moon tonight!</span>
<br/>
<span>How thin and sharp and ghostly white</span>
<br/>
<span>Is the slim curved crook of the moon tonight!</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="young-singer" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Young Singer</h2>
<p>
<span>One who sings “<i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">chansons vulgaires</i>”</span>
<br/>
<span>In a Harlem cellar</span>
<br/>
<span>Where the jazz-band plays</span>
<br/>
<span>From dark to dawn</span>
<br/>
<span>Would not understand</span>
<br/>
<span>Should you tell her</span>
<br/>
<span>That she is like a nymph</span>
<br/>
<span>For some wild faun.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="prayer-meeting" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Prayer Meeting</h2>
<p>
<span>Glory! Halleluiah!</span>
<br/>
<span>De dawn’s a-comin’!</span>
<br/>
<span>Glory! Halleluiah!</span>
<br/>
<span>De dawn’s a-comin’!</span>
<br/>
<span>A black old woman croons</span>
<br/>
<span>In the amen-corner of the</span>
<br/>
<span>Ebecanezer Baptist Church.</span>
<br/>
<span>A black old woman croons⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>De dawn’s a-comin’!</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="poem-the-night-is-beautiful" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<hgroup>
<h2 epub:type="title">Poem</h2>
<p hidden="hidden" epub:type="subtitle">The Night Is Beautiful</p>
</hgroup>
<p>
<span>The night is beautiful,</span>
<br/>
<span>So the faces of my people.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>The stars are beautiful,</span>
<br/>
<span>So the eyes of my people.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Beautiful, also, is the sun.</span>
<br/>
<span>Beautiful, also, are the souls of my people.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="the-little-frightened-child" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">The Little Frightened Child</h2>
<p>
<span>A little southern colored child comes to a northern school and is afraid to play with the white children.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>At first they are nice to him, but finally they taunt him and call him “nigger.”</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>The colored children hate him after a while, too.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>He is a little dark boy with a round black face and a white embroidered collar.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>One might make a story out of this tiny frightened child.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="my-beloved" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">My Beloved</h2>
<p>
<span>Shall I make a record of your beauty?</span>
<br/>
<span>Shall I write words about you?</span>
<br/>
<span>Shall I make a poem that will live a thousand years and paint you in the poem?</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="the-white-ones" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">The White Ones</h2>
<p>
<span>I do not hate you,</span>
<br/>
<span>For your faces are beautiful, too.</span>
<br/>
<span>I do not hate you,</span>
<br/>
<span>Your faces are whirling lights of loveliness and splendor, too.</span>
<br/>
<span>Yet why do you torture me,</span>
<br/>
<span>O, white strong ones,</span>
<br/>
<span>Why do you torture me?</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="grant-park" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Grant Park</h2>
<p>
<span>The haunting face of poverty,</span>
<br/>
<span>The hands of pain,</span>
<br/>
<span>The rough, gargantuan feet of fate,</span>
<br/>
<span>The nails of conscience in a soul</span>
<br/>
<span>That didn’t want to do wrong⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>You can see what they’ve done</span>
<br/>
<span>To brothers of mine</span>
<br/>
<span>In one back-yard of Fifth Avenue.</span>
<br/>
<span>You can see what they’ve done</span>
<br/>
<span>To brothers of mine⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>Sleepers on iron benches</span>
<br/>
<span>Behind the Library in Grant Park.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="gods" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Gods</h2>
<p>
<span>The ivory gods,</span>
<br/>
<span>And the ebony gods,</span>
<br/>
<span>And the gods of diamond and jade,</span>
<br/>
<span>Sit silently on their temple shelves</span>
<br/>
<span>While the people</span>
<br/>
<span>Are afraid.</span>
<br/>
<span>Yet the ivory gods,</span>
<br/>
<span>And the ebony gods,</span>
<br/>
<span>And the gods of diamond-jade,</span>
<br/>
<span>Are only silly puppet gods</span>
<br/>
<span>That the people themselves</span>
<br/>
<span>Have made.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="fire-caught" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Fire-Caught</h2>
<p>
<span>The gold moth did not love him</span>
<br/>
<span>So, gorgeous, she flew away.</span>
<br/>
<span>But the gray moth circled the flame</span>
<br/>
<span class="i4">Until the break of day.</span>
<br/>
<span>And then, with wings like a dead desire,</span>
<br/>
<span>She fell, fire-caught, into the fire.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="song-for-a-suicide" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Song for a Suicide</h2>
<p>
<span>Oh, the sea is deep</span>
<br/>
<span>And a knife is sharp</span>
<br/>
<span>And a poison acid burns;</span>
<br/>
<span>But they all bring rest</span>
<br/>
<span>In a deep, long sleep</span>
<br/>
<span>For which the tired soul yearns⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>They all bring rest in a nothingness</span>
<br/>
<span>From where no road returns.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="prayer-for-a-winter-night" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Prayer for a Winter Night</h2>
<p>
<span>O, Great God of Cold and Winter,</span>
<br/>
<span>Wrap the earth in an icy blanket</span>
<br/>
<span>And freeze the poor in their beds.</span>
<br/>
<span>All those who haven’t enough cover</span>
<br/>
<span>To keep them warm,</span>
<br/>
<span>Nor food enough to keep them strong⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>Freeze, dear God.</span>
<br/>
<span>Let their limbs grow stiff</span>
<br/>
<span>And their hearts cease to beat,</span>
<br/>
<span>Then tomorrow</span>
<br/>
<span>They’ll wake up in some rich kingdom of nowhere</span>
<br/>
<span>Where nothingness is everything and</span>
<br/>
<span>Everything is nothingness.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="lament-for-dark-peoples" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Lament for Dark Peoples</h2>
<p>
<span>I was a red man one time,</span>
<br/>
<span>But the white men came.</span>
<br/>
<span>I was a black man, too,</span>
<br/>
<span>But the white men came.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>They drove me out of the forest.</span>
<br/>
<span>They took me away from the jungles.</span>
<br/>
<span>I lost my trees.</span>
<br/>
<span>I lost my silver moons.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Now they’ve caged me</span>
<br/>
<span>In the circus of civilization.</span>
<br/>
<span>Now I herd with the many⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>Caged in the circus of civilization.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="fascination" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Fascination</h2>
<p>
<span>Her teeth are as white as the meat of an apple,</span>
<br/>
<span>Her lips are like dark ripe plums.</span>
<br/>
<span>I love her.</span>
<br/>
<span>Her hair is a midnight mass, a dusky aurora.</span>
<br/>
<span>I love her.</span>
<br/>
<span>And because her skin is the brown of an oak leaf in autumn, but a softer color,</span>
<br/>
<span>I want to kiss her.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="poem-we-have-tomorrow" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<hgroup>
<h2 epub:type="title">Poem</h2>
<p hidden="hidden" epub:type="subtitle">We Have Tomorrow</p>
</hgroup>
<p>
<span>We have tomorrow</span>
<br/>
<span>Bright before us</span>
<br/>
<span>Like a flame.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Yesterday, a night-gone thing,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">A sun-down name.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>And dawn-today</span>
<br/>
<span>Broad arch above the road we came.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span class="i1">We march.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="mammy" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Mammy</h2>
<p>
<span>I’m waiting for ma mammy⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">She is Death.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Say it very softly.</span>
<br/>
<span>Say it very slowly if you choose.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I’m waiting for ma mammy⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Death.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="dream-variation" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Dream Variation</h2>
<p>
<span>To fling my arms wide</span>
<br/>
<span>In some place of the sun,</span>
<br/>
<span>To whirl and to dance</span>
<br/>
<span>Till the white day is done.</span>
<br/>
<span>Then rest at cool evening</span>
<br/>
<span>Beneath a tall tree</span>
<br/>
<span>While night comes on gently,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Dark like me⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>That is my dream!</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>To fling my arms wide</span>
<br/>
<span>In the face of the sun,</span>
<br/>
<span>Dance! whirl! whirl!</span>
<br/>
<span>Till the quick day is done.</span>
<br/>
<span>Rest at pale evening.⁠ ⁠…</span>
<br/>
<span>A tall, slim tree.⁠ ⁠…</span>
<br/>
<span>Night coming tenderly</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Black like me.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="afraid" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Afraid</h2>
<p>
<span>We cry among the skyscrapers</span>
<br/>
<span>As our ancestors</span>
<br/>
<span>Cried among the palms in Africa</span>
<br/>
<span>Because we are alone,</span>
<br/>
<span>It is night,</span>
<br/>
<span>And we’re afraid.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="subway-face" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Subway Face</h2>
<p>
<span>That I have been looking</span>
<br/>
<span>For you all my life</span>
<br/>
<span>Does not matter to you.</span>
<br/>
<span>You do not know.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>You never knew.</span>
<br/>
<span>Nor did I.</span>
<br/>
<span>Now you take the Harlem train uptown;</span>
<br/>
<span>I take a local down.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="a-song-to-a-negro-wash-woman" epub:type="z3998:song bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">A Song to a Negro Wash-Woman</h2>
<p>
<span>Oh, wash-woman,</span>
<br/>
<span>Arms elbow-deep in white suds,</span>
<br/>
<span>Soul washed clean,</span>
<br/>
<span>Clothes washed clean⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>I have many songs to sing you</span>
<br/>
<span>Could I but find the words.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Was it four o’clock or six o’clock on a winter afternoon, I saw you wringing out the last shirt in Miss White Lady’s kitchen? Was it four o’clock or six o’clock? I don’t remember.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>But I know, at seven one spring morning you were on Vermont Street with a bundle in your arms going to wash clothes.</span>
<br/>
<span>And I know I’ve seen you in a New York subway train in the late afternoon coming home from washing clothes.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Yes, I know you, wash-woman.</span>
<br/>
<span>I know how you send your children to school, and high-school, and even college.</span>
<br/>
<span>I know how you work and help your man when times are hard.</span>
<br/>
<span>I know how you build your house up from the wash-tub and call it home.</span>
<br/>
<span>And how you raise your churches from white suds for the service of the Holy God.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>And I’ve seen you singing, wash-woman. Out in the backyard garden under the apple trees, singing, hanging white clothes on long lines in the sunshine.</span>
<br/>
<span>And I’ve seen you in church a Sunday morning singing, praising your Jesus, because some day you’re going to sit on the right hand of the Son of God and forget you ever were a wash-woman. And the aching back and the bundles of clothes will be unremembered then.</span>
<br/>
<span>Yes, I’ve seen you singing.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>And for you,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">O singing wash-woman,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">For you, singing little brown woman,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">Singing strong black woman,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">Singing tall yellow woman,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">Arms deep in white suds,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">Soul clean,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">Clothes clean⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">For you I have many songs to make</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">Could I but find the words.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="the-poppy-flower" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">The Poppy Flower</h2>
<p>
<span>A wild poppy-flower</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Withered and died.</span>
<br/>
<span>The day-people laughed</span>
<br/>
<span>But the night-people cried.</span>
<br/>
<span>A wild poppy-flower</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Withered and died.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="troubled-woman" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Troubled Woman</h2>
<p>
<span>She stands</span>
<br/>
<span>In the quiet darkness,</span>
<br/>
<span>This troubled woman,</span>
<br/>
<span>Bowed by</span>
<br/>
<span>Weariness and pain,</span>
<br/>
<span>Like an</span>
<br/>
<span>Autumn flower</span>
<br/>
<span>In the frozen rain.</span>
<br/>
<span>Like a</span>
<br/>
<span>Wind-blown autumn flower</span>
<br/>
<span>That never lifts its head</span>
<br/>
<span>Again.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="johannesburg-mines" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Johannesburg Mines</h2>
<p>
<span>In the Johannesburg Mines</span>
<br/>
<span>There are 240,000</span>
<br/>
<span>Native Africans working.</span>
<br/>
<span>What kind of poem</span>
<br/>
<span>Would you</span>
<br/>
<span>Make out of that?</span>
<br/>
<span>240,000 natives</span>
<br/>
<span>Working in the</span>
<br/>
<span>Johannesburg mines.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="to-certain-intellectuals" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">To Certain Intellectuals</h2>
<p>
<span>You are no friend of mine</span>
<br/>
<span>For I am poor,</span>
<br/>
<span>Black,</span>
<br/>
<span>Ignorant and slow⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>Not your kind,</span>
<br/>
<span>You yourself</span>
<br/>
<span>Have told me so⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>No friend of mine.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="steel-mills" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Steel Mills</h2>
<p>
<span>The mills</span>
<br/>
<span>That grind and grind,</span>
<br/>
<span>That grind out new steel</span>
<br/>
<span>And grind away the lives</span>
<br/>
<span>Of men⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>In the sunset</span>
<br/>
<span>Their stacks</span>
<br/>
<span>Are great black silhouettes</span>
<br/>
<span>Against the sky.</span>
<br/>
<span>In the dawn</span>
<br/>
<span>They belch red fire.</span>
<br/>
<span>The mills⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>Grinding out new steel,</span>
<br/>
<span>Old men.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="negro-dancer" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Negro Dancer</h2>
<p>
<span>“Me an’ ma baby’s</span>
<br/>
<span>Got two mo’ ways,</span>
<br/>
<span>Two mo’ ways to do de buck!</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Da, da,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Da, da, da!</span>
<br/>
<span>Two mo’ ways to do de buck!”</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Soft light on the tables,</span>
<br/>
<span>Music gay,</span>
<br/>
<span>Brown-skin steppers</span>
<br/>
<span>In a cabaret.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>White folks, laugh!</span>
<br/>
<span>White folks, pray!</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>“Me an’ ma baby’s</span>
<br/>
<span>Got two mo’ ways,</span>
<br/>
<span>Two mo’ ways to do de buck!”</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="liars" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Liars</h2>
<p>
<span>It is we who are liars:</span>
<br/>
<span>The Pretenders-to-be who are not</span>
<br/>
<span>And the Pretenders-not-to-be who are.</span>
<br/>
<span>It is we who use words</span>
<br/>
<span>As screens for thoughts</span>
<br/>
<span>And weave dark garments</span>
<br/>
<span>To cover the naked body</span>
<br/>
<span>Of the too white Truth.</span>
<br/>
<span>It is we with the civilized souls</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Who are liars.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="sea-charm" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Sea Charm</h2>
<p>
<span>Sea charm</span>
<br/>
<span>The sea’s own children</span>
<br/>
<span>Do not understand.</span>
<br/>
<span>They know</span>
<br/>
<span>But that the sea is strong</span>
<br/>
<span>Like God’s hand.</span>
<br/>
<span>They know</span>
<br/>
<span>But that sea wind is sweet</span>
<br/>
<span>Like God’s breath,</span>
<br/>
<span>And that the sea holds</span>
<br/>
<span>A wide, deep death.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="the-dream-keeper" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">The Dream Keeper</h2>
<p>
<span>Bring me all of your dreams,</span>
<br/>
<span>You dreamers.</span>
<br/>
<span>Bring me all of your</span>
<br/>
<span>Heart melodies</span>
<br/>
<span>That I may wrap them</span>
<br/>
<span>In a blue cloud-cloth</span>
<br/>
<span>Away from the too rough fingers</span>
<br/>
<span>Of the world.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="song-lovely-dark-and-lonely-one" epub:type="z3998:song bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<hgroup>
<h2 epub:type="title">Song</h2>
<p hidden="hidden" epub:type="subtitle">Lovely, Dark, and Lonely One</p>
</hgroup>
<p>
<span>Lovely, dark, and lonely one,</span>
<br/>
<span>Bare your bosom to the sun,</span>
<br/>
<span>Do not be afraid of light</span>
<br/>
<span>You who are a child of night.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Open wide your arms to life,</span>
<br/>
<span>Whirl in the wind of pain and strife,</span>
<br/>
<span>Face the wall with the dark closed gate,</span>
<br/>
<span>Beat with bare, brown fists</span>
<br/>
<span>And wait.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="poem-being-walkers-with-the-dawn-and-morning" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<hgroup>
<h2 epub:type="title">Poem</h2>
<p hidden="hidden" epub:type="subtitle">Being Walkers with the Dawn and Morning</p>
</hgroup>
<p>
<span>Being walkers with the dawn and morning</span>
<br/>
<span>Walkers with the sun and morning,</span>
<br/>
<span>We are not afraid of night,</span>
<br/>
<span>Nor days of gloom,</span>
<br/>
<span>Nor darkness,</span>
<br/>
<span>Being walkers with the sun and morning.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="an-earth-song" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">An Earth Song</h2>
<p>
<span>It’s an earth song⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>And I’ve been waiting long for an earth song.</span>
<br/>
<span>It’s a spring song⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>And I’ve been waiting long for a spring song.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Strong as the shoots of a new plant</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Strong as the bursting of new buds</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Strong as the coming of the first child from its mother’s womb.</span>
<br/>
<span>It’s an earth song,</span>
<br/>
<span>A body song,</span>
<br/>
<span>A spring song⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>I have been waiting long for this spring song.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="i-too" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">I Too</h2>
<p>
<span>I, too, sing America.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I am the darker brother.</span>
<br/>
<span>They send me to eat in the kitchen</span>
<br/>
<span>When company comes,</span>
<br/>
<span>But I laugh,</span>
<br/>
<span>And eat well,</span>
<br/>
<span>And grow strong.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Tomorrow,</span>
<br/>
<span>I’ll sit at the table</span>
<br/>
<span>When company comes.</span>
<br/>
<span>Nobody’ll dare</span>
<br/>
<span>Say to me,</span>
<br/>
<span>“Eat in the kitchen,”</span>
<br/>
<span>Then.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Besides,</span>
<br/>
<span>They’ll see how beautiful I am</span>
<br/>
<span>And be ashamed⁠—</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I, too, am America.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="drama-for-winter-night" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<header>
<h2 epub:type="title">Drama for Winter Night</h2>
<p epub:type="bridgehead">(Fifth Avenue)</p>
</header>
<p>
<span>You can’t sleep here,</span>
<br/>
<span>My good man,</span>
<br/>
<span>You can’t sleep here.</span>
<br/>
<span>This is the house of God.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>The usher opens the church door and he goes out.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>You can’t sleep in this car, old top,</span>
<br/>
<span>Not here.</span>
<br/>
<span>If Jones found you</span>
<br/>
<span>He’d give you to the cops.</span>
<br/>
<span>Get-the-hell out now,</span>
<br/>
<span>This ain’t home.</span>
<br/>
<span>You can’t stay here.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>The chauffeur opens the door and he gets out.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Lord! You can’t let a man lie in the streets like this.</span>
<br/>
<span>Find an officer quick.</span>
<br/>
<span>Send for an ambulance.</span>
<br/>
<span>Maybe he is sick but</span>
<br/>
<span>He can’t die on this corner,</span>
<br/>
<span>Not here!</span>
<br/>
<span>He can’t die here.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Death opens a door.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Oh, God,</span>
<br/>
<span>Lemme git by <abbr>St.</abbr> Peter.</span>
<br/>
<span>Lemme sit down on the steps of your throne.</span>
<br/>
<span>Lemme rest somewhere.</span>
<br/>
<span>What did yuh say, God?</span>
<br/>
<span>What did yuh say?</span>
<br/>
<span>You can’t sleep here.⁠ ⁠…</span>
<br/>
<span>Bums can’t stay.⁠ ⁠…</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>The man’s raving.</span>
<br/>
<span>Get him to the hospital quick.</span>
<br/>
<span>He’s attracting a crowd.</span>
<br/>
<span>He can’t die on this corner.</span>
<br/>
<span>No, no, not here.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="god-to-hungry-child" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">God to Hungry Child</h2>
<p>
<span>Hungry child,</span>
<br/>
<span>I didn’t make this world for you.</span>
<br/>
<span>You didn’t buy any stock in my railroad.</span>
<br/>
<span>You didn’t invest in my corporation.</span>
<br/>
<span>Where are your shares in standard oil?</span>
<br/>
<span>I made the world for the rich</span>
<br/>
<span>And the will-be-rich</span>
<br/>
<span>And the have-always-been-rich.</span>
<br/>
<span>Not for you,</span>
<br/>
<span>Hungry child.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="poem-to-a-dead-soldier" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<header>
<h2 epub:type="title">Poem to a Dead Soldier</h2>
<blockquote epub:type="epigraph">
<p>“Death is a whore who consorts with all men.”</p>
</blockquote>
</header>
<p>
<span>Ice-cold passion</span>
<br/>
<span>And a bitter breath</span>
<br/>
<span>Adorned the bed</span>
<br/>
<span>Of Youth and Death⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>Youth, the young soldier</span>
<br/>
<span>Who went to the wars</span>
<br/>
<span>And embraced white Death,</span>
<br/>
<span>The vilest of whores.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Now we spread roses</span>
<br/>
<span>Over your tomb⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>We who sent you</span>
<br/>
<span>To your doom.</span>
<br/>
<span>Now we make soft speeches</span>
<br/>
<span>And sob soft cries</span>
<br/>
<span>And throw soft flowers</span>
<br/>
<span>And utter soft lies.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>We mould you in metal</span>
<br/>
<span>And carve you in stone,</span>
<br/>
<span>Not daring make statue</span>
<br/>
<span>Of your dead flesh and bone,</span>
<br/>
<span>Not daring to mention</span>
<br/>
<span>The bitter breath</span>
<br/>
<span>Nor the ice-cold passion</span>
<br/>
<span>Of your love-night with Death.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>We make soft speeches.</span>
<br/>
<span>We sob soft cries</span>
<br/>
<span>We throw soft flowers,</span>
<br/>
<span>And utter soft lies.</span>
<br/>
<span>And you who were young</span>
<br/>
<span>When you went to the wars</span>
<br/>
<span>Have lost your youth now</span>
<br/>
<span>With the vilest of whores.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="park-benching" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Park Benching</h2>
<p>
<span>I’ve sat on the park benches in Paris</span>
<br/>
<span>Hungry.</span>
<br/>
<span>I’ve sat on the park benches in New York</span>
<br/>
<span>Hungry.</span>
<br/>
<span>And I’ve said:</span>
<br/>
<span>I want a job.</span>
<br/>
<span>I want work.</span>
<br/>
<span>And I’ve been told:</span>
<br/>
<span>There are no jobs.</span>
<br/>
<span>There is no work.</span>
<br/>
<span>So I’ve sat on the park benches</span>
<br/>
<span>Hungry.</span>
<br/>
<span>Mid-winter,</span>
<br/>
<span>Hungry days,</span>
<br/>
<span>No jobs,</span>
<br/>
<span>No work.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="rising-waters" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Rising Waters</h2>
<p>
<span>To you</span>
<br/>
<span>Who are the</span>
<br/>
<span>Foam on the sea</span>
<br/>
<span>And not the sea⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>What of the jagged rocks,</span>
<br/>
<span>And the waves themselves,</span>
<br/>
<span>And the force of the mounting waters?</span>
<br/>
<span>You are</span>
<br/>
<span>But foam on the sea,</span>
<br/>
<span>You rich ones⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>Not the sea.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="the-weary-blues" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">The Weary Blues</h2>
<p>
<span>Droning a drowsy syncopated tune,</span>
<br/>
<span>Rocking back and forth to a mellow croon,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">I heard a Negro play.</span>
<br/>
<span>Down on Lenox Avenue the other night</span>
<br/>
<span>By the pale dull pallor of an old gas light</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">He did a lazy sway.⁠ ⁠…</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">He did a lazy sway.⁠ ⁠…</span>
<br/>
<span>To the tune o’ those Weary Blues.</span>
<br/>
<span>With his ebony hands on each ivory key</span>
<br/>
<span>He made that poor piano moan with melody.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">O Blues!</span>
<br/>
<span>Swaying to and fro on his rickety stool</span>
<br/>
<span>He played that sad raggy tune like a musical fool.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Sweet Blues!</span>
<br/>
<span>Coming from a black man’s soul.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">O Blues!</span>
<br/>
<span>In a deep song voice with a melancholy tone</span>
<br/>
<span>I heard that Negro sing, that old piano moan⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">“Ain’t got nobody in all this world,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Ain’t got nobody but ma self.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">I’s gwine to quit ma frownin’</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">And put ma troubles on the shelf.”</span>
<br/>
<span>Thump, thump, thump, went his foot on the floor.</span>
<br/>
<span>He played a few chords then he sang some more⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">“I got the Weary Blues</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">And I can’t be satisfied.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Got the Weary Blues</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">And can’t be satisfied⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">I ain’t happy no mo’</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">And I wish that I had died.”</span>
<br/>
<span>And far into the night he crooned that tune.</span>
<br/>
<span>The stars went out and so did the moon.</span>
<br/>
<span>The singer stopped playing and went to bed</span>
<br/>
<span>While the Weary Blues echoed through his head.</span>
<br/>
<span>He slept like a rock or a man that’s dead.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="prayer" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Prayer</h2>
<p>
<span>I ask you this:</span>
<br/>
<span>Which way to go?</span>
<br/>
<span>I ask you this:</span>
<br/>
<span>Which sin to bear?</span>
<br/>
<span>Which crown to put</span>
<br/>
<span>Upon my hair?</span>
<br/>
<span>I do not know,</span>
<br/>
<span>Lord God,</span>
<br/>
<span>I do not know.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="poem-to-f-s" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<hgroup>
<h2 epub:type="title">Poem</h2>
<p epub:type="subtitle">To <abbr class="eoc" epub:type="z3998:personal-name">F. S.</abbr></p>
</hgroup>
<p>
<span>I loved my friend.</span>
<br/>
<span>He went away from me.</span>
<br/>
<span>There’s nothing more to say.</span>
<br/>
<span>The poem ends,</span>
<br/>
<span>Soft as it began⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>I loved my friend.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="america" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">America</h2>
<p>
<span>Little dark baby,</span>
<br/>
<span>Little Jew baby,</span>
<br/>
<span>Little outcast,</span>
<br/>
<span>America is seeking the stars,</span>
<br/>
<span>America is seeking tomorrow.</span>
<br/>
<span>You are America.</span>
<br/>
<span>I am America</span>
<br/>
<span>America⁠—the dream,</span>
<br/>
<span>America⁠—the vision.</span>
<br/>
<span>America⁠—the star-seeking I.</span>
<br/>
<span>Out of yesterday</span>
<br/>
<span>The chains of slavery;</span>
<br/>
<span>Out of yesterday,</span>
<br/>
<span>The ghettos of Europe;</span>
<br/>
<span>Out of yesterday,</span>
<br/>
<span>The poverty and pain of the old, old world,</span>
<br/>
<span>The building and struggle of this new one,</span>
<br/>
<span>We come</span>
<br/>
<span>You and I,</span>
<br/>
<span>Seeking the stars.</span>
<br/>
<span>You and I,</span>
<br/>
<span>You of the blue eyes</span>
<br/>
<span>And the blond hair,</span>
<br/>
<span>I of the dark eyes</span>
<br/>
<span>And the crinkly hair.</span>
<br/>
<span>You and I</span>
<br/>
<span>Offering hands</span>
<br/>
<span>Being brothers,</span>
<br/>
<span>Being one,</span>
<br/>
<span>Being America.</span>
<br/>
<span>You and I.</span>
<br/>
<span>And I?</span>
<br/>
<span>Who am I?</span>
<br/>
<span>You know me:</span>
<br/>
<span>I am Crispus Attucks at the Boston Tea Party;</span>
<br/>
<span>Jimmy Jones in the ranks of the last black troops marching for democracy.</span>
<br/>
<span>I am Sojourner Truth preaching and praying for the goodness of this wide, wide land;</span>
<br/>
<span>Today’s black mother bearing tomorrow’s America.</span>
<br/>
<span>Who am I?</span>
<br/>
<span>You know me,</span>
<br/>
<span>Dream of my dreams,</span>
<br/>
<span>I am America.</span>
<br/>
<span>I am America seeking the stars.</span>
<br/>
<span>America⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>Hoping, praying</span>
<br/>
<span>Fighting, dreaming.</span>
<br/>
<span>Knowing</span>
<br/>
<span>There are stains</span>
<br/>
<span>On the beauty of my democracy,</span>
<br/>
<span>I want to be clean.</span>
<br/>
<span>I want to grovel</span>
<br/>
<span>No longer in the mire.</span>
<br/>
<span>I want to reach always</span>
<br/>
<span>After stars.</span>
<br/>
<span>Who am I?</span>
<br/>
<span>I am the ghetto child,</span>
<br/>
<span>I am the dark baby,</span>
<br/>
<span>I am you</span>
<br/>
<span>And the blond tomorrow</span>
<br/>
<span>And yet</span>
<br/>
<span>I am my one sole self,</span>
<br/>
<span>America seeking the stars.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="to-certain-brothers" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">To Certain “Brothers”</h2>
<p>
<span>You sicken me with lies,</span>
<br/>
<span>With truthful lies.</span>
<br/>
<span>And with your pious faces,</span>
<br/>
<span>And your wide, out-stretched, mock-welcome, Christian hands.</span>
<br/>
<span>While underneath</span>
<br/>
<span>Is dirt and ugliness,</span>
<br/>
<span>And rottening hearts,</span>
<br/>
<span>And wild hyenas howling</span>
<br/>
<span>In your soul’s waste lands.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="suicides-note" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Suicide’s Note</h2>
<p>
<span>The calm,</span>
<br/>
<span>Cool face of the river</span>
<br/>
<span>Asked me for a kiss.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="fantasy-in-purple" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Fantasy in Purple</h2>
<p>
<span>Beat the drums of tragedy for me.</span>
<br/>
<span>Beat the drums of tragedy and death.</span>
<br/>
<span>And let the choir sing a stormy song</span>
<br/>
<span>To drown the rattle of my dying breath.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Beat the drums of tragedy for me,</span>
<br/>
<span>And let the white violins whir thin and slow,</span>
<br/>
<span>But blow one blaring trumpet note of sun</span>
<br/>
<span class="dl3">
<span>To go with me</span>
<span>to the darkness</span>
<span>where I go.</span>
</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="to-midnight-nan-at-leroys" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">To Midnight Nan at Leroy’s</h2>
<p>
<span>Strut and wiggle,</span>
<br/>
<span>Shameless gal.</span>
<br/>
<span>Wouldn’t no good fellow</span>
<br/>
<span>Be your pal.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Hear dat music.⁠ ⁠…</span>
<br/>
<span>Jungle night.</span>
<br/>
<span>Hear dat music.⁠ ⁠…</span>
<br/>
<span>And the moon was white.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Sing your Blues song,</span>
<br/>
<span>Pretty baby.</span>
<br/>
<span>You want lovin’</span>
<br/>
<span>And you don’t mean maybe.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Jungle lover.⁠ ⁠…</span>
<br/>
<span>Night black boy.⁠ ⁠…</span>
<br/>
<span>Two against the moon</span>
<br/>
<span>And the moon was joy.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Strut and wiggle,</span>
<br/>
<span>Shameless Nan.</span>
<br/>
<span>Wouldn’t no good fellow</span>
<br/>
<span>Be your man.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="young-bride" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Young Bridge</h2>
<p>
<span>They say she died⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>Although I do not know,</span>
<br/>
<span>They say she died of grief</span>
<br/>
<span>And in the earth-dark arms of Death</span>
<br/>
<span>Sought calm relief,</span>
<br/>
<span>And rest from pain of love</span>
<br/>
<span>In loveless sleep.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="the-jester" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">The Jester</h2>
<p>
<span>In one hand</span>
<br/>
<span>I hold tragedy</span>
<br/>
<span>And in the other</span>
<br/>
<span>Comedy⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>Masks for the soul.</span>
<br/>
<span>Laugh with me.</span>
<br/>
<span>You would laugh!</span>
<br/>
<span>Weep with me.</span>
<br/>
<span>You would weep!</span>
<br/>
<span>Tears are my laughter.</span>
<br/>
<span>Laughter is my pain.</span>
<br/>
<span>Cry at my grinning mouth,</span>
<br/>
<span>If you will.</span>
<br/>
<span>Laugh at my sorrow’s reign.</span>
<br/>
<span>I am the Black Jester,</span>
<br/>
<span>The dumb clown of the world,</span>
<br/>
<span>The booted, booted fool of silly men.</span>
<br/>
<span>Once I was wise.</span>
<br/>
<span>Shall I be wise again?</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="soledad" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<hgroup>
<h2 epub:type="title">Soledad</h2>
<p epub:type="subtitle">A Cuban Portrait</p>
</hgroup>
<p>
<span>The shadows</span>
<br/>
<span>Of too many nights of love</span>
<br/>
<span>Have fallen beneath your eyes.</span>
<br/>
<span>Your eyes,</span>
<br/>
<span>So full of pain and passion,</span>
<br/>
<span>So full of lies.</span>
<br/>
<span>So full of pain and passion,</span>
<br/>
<span>Soledad,</span>
<br/>
<span>So deeply scarred,</span>
<br/>
<span>So still with silent cries.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="poem-to-the-black-beloved" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<hgroup>
<h2 epub:type="title">Poem</h2>
<p epub:type="subtitle">To the Black Beloved</p>
</hgroup>
<p>
<span>Ah,</span>
<br/>
<span>My black one,</span>
<br/>
<span>Thou art not beautiful</span>
<br/>
<span>Yet thou hast</span>
<br/>
<span>A loveliness</span>
<br/>
<span>Surpassing beauty.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Oh,</span>
<br/>
<span>My black one,</span>
<br/>
<span>Thou art not good</span>
<br/>
<span>Yet thou hast</span>
<br/>
<span>A purity</span>
<br/>
<span>Surpassing goodness.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Ah,</span>
<br/>
<span>My black one,</span>
<br/>
<span>Thou art not luminous</span>
<br/>
<span>Yet an altar of jewels,</span>
<br/>
<span>An altar of shimmering jewels,</span>
<br/>
<span>Would pale in the light</span>
<br/>
<span>Of thy darkness,</span>
<br/>
<span>Pale in the light</span>
<br/>
<span>Of thy nightness.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="cross" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Cross</h2>
<p>
<span>My old man’s a white old man</span>
<br/>
<span>And my old mother’s black.</span>
<br/>
<span>If ever I cursed my white old man</span>
<br/>
<span>I take my curses back.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>If ever I cursed my black old mother</span>
<br/>
<span>And wished she were in hell,</span>
<br/>
<span>I’m sorry for that evil wish</span>
<br/>
<span>And now I wish her well.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>My old man died in a fine big house.</span>
<br/>
<span>My ma died in a shack.</span>
<br/>
<span>I wonder where I’m gonna die,</span>
<br/>
<span>Being neither white nor black?</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="summer-night" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Summer Night</h2>
<p>
<span>The sounds</span>
<br/>
<span>Of the Harlem night</span>
<br/>
<span>Drop one by one into stillness.</span>
<br/>
<span>The last player-piano is closed.</span>
<br/>
<span>The last victrola ceases with the</span>
<br/>
<span>“Jazz Boy Blues.”</span>
<br/>
<span>The last crying baby sleeps</span>
<br/>
<span>And the night becomes</span>
<br/>
<span>Still as a whispering heartbeat.</span>
<br/>
<span>I toss</span>
<br/>
<span>Without rest in the darkness,</span>
<br/>
<span>Weary as the tired night,</span>
<br/>
<span>My soul</span>
<br/>
<span>Empty as the silence,</span>
<br/>
<span>Empty with a vague,</span>
<br/>
<span>Aching emptiness,</span>
<br/>
<span>Desiring,</span>
<br/>
<span>Needing someone,</span>
<br/>
<span>Something.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I toss without rest</span>
<br/>
<span>In the darkness</span>
<br/>
<span>Until the new dawn,</span>
<br/>
<span>Wan and pale,</span>
<br/>
<span>Descends like a white mist</span>
<br/>
<span>Into the court-yard.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="disillusion" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Disillusion</h2>
<p>
<span>I would be simple again,</span>
<br/>
<span>Simple and clean</span>
<br/>
<span>Like the earth,</span>
<br/>
<span>Like the rain,</span>
<br/>
<span>Nor ever know,</span>
<br/>
<span>Dark Harlem,</span>
<br/>
<span>The wild laughter</span>
<br/>
<span>Of your mirth</span>
<br/>
<span>Nor the salt tears</span>
<br/>
<span>Of your pain.</span>
<br/>
<span>Be kind to me,</span>
<br/>
<span>Oh, great dark city.</span>
<br/>
<span>Let me forget.</span>
<br/>
<span>I will not come</span>
<br/>
<span>To you again.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="jazz-band-in-a-parisian-cabaret" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Jazz Band in a Parisian Cabaret</h2>
<p>
<span>Play that thing,</span>
<br/>
<span>Jazz band!</span>
<br/>
<span>Play it for the lords and ladies,</span>
<br/>
<span>For the dukes and counts,</span>
<br/>
<span>For the whores and gigolos,</span>
<br/>
<span>For the American millionaires,</span>
<br/>
<span>And the school teachers</span>
<br/>
<span>Out for a spree.</span>
<br/>
<span>Play it,</span>
<br/>
<span>Jazz band!</span>
<br/>
<span>You know that tune</span>
<br/>
<span>That laughs and cries at the same time.</span>
<br/>
<span>You know it.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">May I?</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">
<i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Mais oui.</i>
</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">
<i lang="de" xml:lang="de">Mein Gott!</i>
</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">
<i lang="es" xml:lang="es">Parece una rumba.</i>
</span>
<br/>
<span>Play it, jazz band!</span>
<br/>
<span>You’ve got seven languages to speak in</span>
<br/>
<span>And then some,</span>
<br/>
<span>Even if you do come from Georgia.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Can I go home wid yuh, sweetie?</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Sure.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="minstrel-man" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Minstrel Man</h2>
<p>
<span>Because my mouth</span>
<br/>
<span>Is wide with laughter</span>
<br/>
<span>And my throat</span>
<br/>
<span>Is deep with song,</span>
<br/>
<span>You do not think</span>
<br/>
<span>I suffer after</span>
<br/>
<span>I have held my pain</span>
<br/>
<span>So long.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Because my mouth</span>
<br/>
<span>Is wide with laughter,</span>
<br/>
<span>You do not hear</span>
<br/>
<span>My inner cry,</span>
<br/>
<span>Because my feet</span>
<br/>
<span>Are gay with dancing,</span>
<br/>
<span>You do not know</span>
<br/>
<span>I die.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="nude-young-dancer" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Nude Young Dancer</h2>
<p>
<span>What jungle tree have you slept under,</span>
<br/>
<span>Midnight dancer of the jazzy hour?</span>
<br/>
<span>What great forest has hung its perfume</span>
<br/>
<span>Like a sweet veil about your bower?</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>What jungle tree have you slept under,</span>
<br/>
<span>Night-dark girl of the swaying hips?</span>
<br/>
<span>What star-white moon has been your mother?</span>
<br/>
<span>To what clean boy have you offered your lips?</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="songs-to-the-dark-virgin" epub:type="z3998:song bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Songs to the Dark Virgin</h2>
<div>
<header>
<p epub:type="ordinal z3998:roman">I</p>
</header>
<p>
<span>Would</span>
<br/>
<span>That I were a jewel,</span>
<br/>
<span>A shattered jewel,</span>
<br/>
<span>That all my shining brilliants</span>
<br/>
<span>Might fall at thy feet,</span>
<br/>
<span>Thou dark one.</span>
</p>
</div>
<div>
<header>
<p epub:type="ordinal z3998:roman">II</p>
</header>
<p>
<span>Would</span>
<br/>
<span>That I were a garment,</span>
<br/>
<span>A shimmering, silken garment,</span>
<br/>
<span>That all my folds</span>
<br/>
<span>Might wrap about thy body,</span>
<br/>
<span>Absorb thy body,</span>
<br/>
<span>Hold and hide thy body,</span>
<br/>
<span>Thou dark one.</span>
</p>
</div>
<div>
<header>
<p epub:type="ordinal z3998:roman">III</p>
</header>
<p>
<span>Would</span>
<br/>
<span>That I were a flame,</span>
<br/>
<span>But one sharp, leaping flame</span>
<br/>
<span>To annihilate thy body,</span>
<br/>
<span>Thou dark one.</span>
</p>
</div>
</article>
<article id="young-sailor" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Young Sailor</h2>
<p>
<span>He carries</span>
<br/>
<span>His own strength</span>
<br/>
<span>And his own laughter,</span>
<br/>
<span>His own today</span>
<br/>
<span>And his own hereafter⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>This strong young sailor</span>
<br/>
<span>Of the wide seas.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>What is money for?</span>
<br/>
<span>To spend, he says.</span>
<br/>
<span>And wine?</span>
<br/>
<span>To drink.</span>
<br/>
<span>And women?</span>
<br/>
<span>To love.</span>
<br/>
<span>And today?</span>
<br/>
<span>For joy.</span>
<br/>
<span>And tomorrow?</span>
<br/>
<span>For joy.</span>
<br/>
<span>And the green sea</span>
<br/>
<span>For strength,</span>
<br/>
<span>And the brown land</span>
<br/>
<span>For laughter.</span>
<br/>
<span>And nothing hereafter.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="joy" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Joy</h2>
<p>
<span>I went to look for Joy,</span>
<br/>
<span>Slim, dancing Joy,</span>
<br/>
<span>Gay, laughing Joy,</span>
<br/>
<span>Bright-eyed Joy⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>And I found her</span>
<br/>
<span>Driving the butcher’s cart</span>
<br/>
<span>In the arms of the butcher boy!</span>
<br/>
<span>Such company, such company,</span>
<br/>
<span>As keeps this young nymph, Joy!</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="strange-hurt-she-knew" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Strange Hurt She Knew</h2>
<p>
<span>In times of stormy weather</span>
<br/>
<span>She felt queer pain</span>
<br/>
<span>That said,</span>
<br/>
<span>“You’ll find rain better</span>
<br/>
<span>Than shelter from the rain.”</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Days filled with fiery sunshine</span>
<br/>
<span>Strange hurt she knew</span>
<br/>
<span>That made</span>
<br/>
<span>Her seek the burning sunlight</span>
<br/>
<span>Rather than the shade.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>In months of snowy winter</span>
<br/>
<span>When cozy houses hold,</span>
<br/>
<span>She’d break</span>
<br/>
<span>Down doors to wander</span>
<br/>
<span>Naked through the cold.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="star-seeker" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Star Seeker</h2>
<p>
<span>I have been a seeker</span>
<br/>
<span>Seeking a flaming star,</span>
<br/>
<span>And the flame-white star</span>
<br/>
<span>Has burned my hands</span>
<br/>
<span>Even from afar.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Walking in a dream-dead world</span>
<br/>
<span>Circled by iron bars</span>
<br/>
<span>I sought a singing star’s</span>
<br/>
<span>Wild beauty.⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>Now behold my scars.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="lullaby" epub:type="z3998:song bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Lullaby</h2>
<p>
<span>My little dark baby,</span>
<br/>
<span>My little earth-thing,</span>
<br/>
<span>My little love-one,</span>
<br/>
<span>What shall I sing</span>
<br/>
<span>For your lullaby?</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Stars,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Stars,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">A necklace of stars</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Winding the night.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>My little black baby,</span>
<br/>
<span>My dark body’s baby,</span>
<br/>
<span>What shall I sing</span>
<br/>
<span>For your lullaby?</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Moon,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Moon,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Great diamond moon,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Kissing the night.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Oh, little dark baby,</span>
<br/>
<span>Night black baby,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Stars, stars,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Moon,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Night stars,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Moon,</span>
<br/>
<span>For your sleep-song lullaby.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="salome" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Salome</h2>
<p>
<span>There</span>
<br/>
<span>Is no sweetness</span>
<br/>
<span>In the kiss</span>
<br/>
<span>Of a mouth</span>
<br/>
<span>Unwarm and dead,</span>
<br/>
<span>And even passion’s</span>
<br/>
<span>Flaming bliss</span>
<br/>
<span>Turns ashen</span>
<br/>
<span>In a charnel bed.</span>
<br/>
<span>Salome</span>
<br/>
<span>Of the wine-red lips,</span>
<br/>
<span>What would you with death’s head?</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="the-ring" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">The Ring</h2>
<p>
<span>Love is the master of the ring</span>
<br/>
<span>And life a circus tent.</span>
<br/>
<span>What is this silly song you sing?</span>
<br/>
<span>Love is the master of the ring.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I am afraid!</span>
<br/>
<span>Afraid of Love</span>
<br/>
<span>And of Love’s bitter whip!</span>
<br/>
<span>Afraid,</span>
<br/>
<span>Afraid of Love</span>
<br/>
<span>And Love’s sharp, stinging whip.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>What is this silly song you sing?</span>
<br/>
<span>Love is the master of the ring.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="midwinter-blues" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Midwinter Blues</h2>
<p>
<span>In de middle of de winter,</span>
<br/>
<span>Snow all over de ground.</span>
<br/>
<span>In de middle of de winter,</span>
<br/>
<span>Snow all over de ground⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>’Twas de night befo’ Christmas</span>
<br/>
<span>Ma good man turned me down.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Don’ know’s I’d mind his goin’</span>
<br/>
<span>But he left me when de coal was low.</span>
<br/>
<span>Don’ know’s I’d mind his goin’</span>
<br/>
<span>But he left when de coal was low.</span>
<br/>
<span>Now, if a man loves a woman</span>
<br/>
<span>That ain’t no time to go.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>He told me that he loved me</span>
<br/>
<span>But he must a been tellin’ a lie.</span>
<br/>
<span>He told me that he loved me.</span>
<br/>
<span>He must a been tellin’ a lie.</span>
<br/>
<span>But he’s the only man I’ll</span>
<br/>
<span>Love till de day I die.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I’m gonna buy me a rose bud</span>
<br/>
<span>An’ plant it at ma back door.</span>
<br/>
<span>Gonna buy me a rose bud</span>
<br/>
<span>And plant it at ma back door,</span>
<br/>
<span>So when I’m dead they</span>
<br/>
<span>Won’t need no flowers from de store.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="gypsy-man" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Gypsy Man</h2>
<p>
<span>Ma man’s a gypsy</span>
<br/>
<span>Cause he never does come home.</span>
<br/>
<span>Ma man’s a gypsy⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>He never does come home.</span>
<br/>
<span>I’m gonna be a gypsy woman</span>
<br/>
<span>Fer I can’t stay here alone.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Once I was in Memphis,</span>
<br/>
<span>I mean Tennessee.</span>
<br/>
<span>Once I was in Memphis,</span>
<br/>
<span>Said Tennessee.</span>
<br/>
<span>But I had to leave cause</span>
<br/>
<span>Nobody there was good to me.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I met a yellow papa,</span>
<br/>
<span>He took ma last thin dime.</span>
<br/>
<span>Met a yellow papa,</span>
<br/>
<span>He took ma last thin dime.</span>
<br/>
<span>I give it to him cause I loved him</span>
<br/>
<span>But I’ll have mo’ sense next time.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Love, Oh, love is</span>
<br/>
<span>Such a strange disease.</span>
<br/>
<span>Love, Oh, love is</span>
<br/>
<span>Such a strange disease.</span>
<br/>
<span>When it hurts yo’ heart you</span>
<br/>
<span>Sho can’t find no ease.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="ma-man" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Ma Man</h2>
<p>
<span>When ma man looks at me</span>
<br/>
<span>He knocks me off ma feet.</span>
<br/>
<span>When ma man looks at me</span>
<br/>
<span>He knocks me off ma feet.</span>
<br/>
<span>He’s got those ’lectric-shockin’ eyes an’</span>
<br/>
<span>De way he shocks me sho is sweet.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>He kin play a banjo.</span>
<br/>
<span>Lordy, he kin plunk, plunk, plunk.</span>
<br/>
<span>He kin play a banjo.</span>
<br/>
<span>I mean plunk, plunk⁠ ⁠… plunk, plunk.</span>
<br/>
<span>He plays good when he’s sober</span>
<br/>
<span>An’ better, better, better when he’s drunk.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Eagle-rockin’,</span>
<br/>
<span>Daddy, eagle-rock with me.</span>
<br/>
<span>Eagle rockin’,</span>
<br/>
<span>Come an’ eagle-rock with me.</span>
<br/>
<span>Honey baby,</span>
<br/>
<span>Eagle-rockish as I kin be!</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="love-song-for-lucinda" epub:type="z3998:song bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Love Song for Lucinda</h2>
<p>
<span>Love</span>
<br/>
<span>Is a ripe plum</span>
<br/>
<span>Growing on a purple tree.</span>
<br/>
<span>Taste it once</span>
<br/>
<span>And the spell of its enchantment</span>
<br/>
<span>Will never let you be.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Love</span>
<br/>
<span>Is a bright star</span>
<br/>
<span>Glowing in far Southern skies.</span>
<br/>
<span>Look too hard</span>
<br/>
<span>And its burning flame</span>
<br/>
<span>Will always hurt your eyes.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Love</span>
<br/>
<span>Is a high mountain</span>
<br/>
<span>Stark in a windy sky.</span>
<br/>
<span>If you</span>
<br/>
<span>Would never lose your breath</span>
<br/>
<span>Do not climb too high.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="teacher" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Teacher</h2>
<p>
<span>Ideals are like the stars,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Always above our reach.</span>
<br/>
<span>Humbly I tried to learn,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">More humbly did I teach.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>On all honest virtues</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">I sought to keep firm hold.</span>
<br/>
<span>I wanted to be a good man</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Though I pinched my soul.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>But now I lie beneath cool loam</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Forgetting every dream;</span>
<br/>
<span>And in this narrow bed of earth</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">No lights gleam.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>In this narrow bed of earth</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Star-dust never scatters,</span>
<br/>
<span>And I tremble lest the darkness teach</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Me that nothing matters.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="minnie-sings-her-blues" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Minnie Sings Her Blues</h2>
<p>
<span>Cabaret, cabaret!</span>
<br/>
<span>That’s where ma man an’ me go.</span>
<br/>
<span>Cabaret, cabaret!</span>
<br/>
<span>That’s where we go⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>Leaves de snow outside</span>
<br/>
<span>An’ our troubles at de door.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Jazz band, jazz band!</span>
<br/>
<span>Ma man an’ me dance.</span>
<br/>
<span>When I cuddles up to him</span>
<br/>
<span>No other gal’s got a chance.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Baby, O, Baby,</span>
<br/>
<span>I’m midnight mad.</span>
<br/>
<span>If ma daddy didn’t love me</span>
<br/>
<span>It sho would be sad.</span>
<br/>
<span>If he didn’t love me</span>
<br/>
<span>I’d go away</span>
<br/>
<span>An’ dig me a grave this very day.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Blues⁠ ⁠… blues!</span>
<br/>
<span>Blue, blue, blues!</span>
<br/>
<span>I’d sho have them blues.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="listen-here-blues" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Listen Here Blues</h2>
<p>
<span>Sweet girls, sweet girls,</span>
<br/>
<span>Listen here to me.</span>
<br/>
<span>All you sweet girls,</span>
<br/>
<span>Listen here to me:</span>
<br/>
<span>Gin an’ whiskey</span>
<br/>
<span>Kin make you lose yo’ ’ginity.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I used to be a good chile,</span>
<br/>
<span>Lawd, in Sunday School.</span>
<br/>
<span>Used to be a good chile⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>Always in Sunday School,</span>
<br/>
<span>Till these licker-headed rounders</span>
<br/>
<span>Made me everbody’s fool.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Good girls, good girls,</span>
<br/>
<span>Listen here to me.</span>
<br/>
<span>Oh, you good girls,</span>
<br/>
<span>Better listen to me:</span>
<br/>
<span>Don’t you fool wid no men cause</span>
<br/>
<span>They’ll bring you misery.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="fortune-teller-blues" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Fortune Teller Blues</h2>
<p>
<span>I went to de gypsy,</span>
<br/>
<span>De gypsy took hold o’ my hand.</span>
<br/>
<span>Went to de gypsy,</span>
<br/>
<span>Gypsy took hold o’ my hand.</span>
<br/>
<span>She looked at me and tole me</span>
<br/>
<span>Chile, you gonna lose yo’ man.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>These fortune tellers</span>
<br/>
<span>Never tell me nothin’ kind.</span>
<br/>
<span>I say fortune tellers</span>
<br/>
<span>Never tell me nothin’ kind.</span>
<br/>
<span>I’d give a hundred dollars</span>
<br/>
<span>To de one that would ease my mind.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Cause I’ll holler an’ scream an’</span>
<br/>
<span>Fall down on de flo’.</span>
<br/>
<span>Say I’ll holler an’ scream an’</span>
<br/>
<span>Fall down on de flo’.</span>
<br/>
<span>If my man leaves me</span>
<br/>
<span>I won’t live no mo’.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="judgment-day" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Judgment Day</h2>
<p>
<span>They put ma body in de ground,</span>
<br/>
<span>Ma soul went flyin’ o’ de town.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Lord Jesus!</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Went flyin’ to de stars an’ moon</span>
<br/>
<span>A shoutin’ God, I’s comin’ soon.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>O Jesus!</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Lord in heaben,</span>
<br/>
<span>Crown on His head,</span>
<br/>
<span>Says don’t be ’fraid</span>
<br/>
<span>Cause you ain’t dead.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Kind Jesus!</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>An’ now I’m settin’ clean an’ bright</span>
<br/>
<span>In de sweet o’ ma Lord’s sight⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Clean an’ bright,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Clean an’ bright.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="wide-river" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Wide River</h2>
<p>
<span>Ma baby lives across de river</span>
<br/>
<span>An’ I ain’t got no boat.</span>
<br/>
<span>She lives across de river,</span>
<br/>
<span>I ain’t got no boat.</span>
<br/>
<span>I ain’t a good swimmer</span>
<br/>
<span>An’ I don’t know how to float.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Wide, wide river</span>
<br/>
<span>’Tween ma love an’ me.</span>
<br/>
<span>Wide, wide river</span>
<br/>
<span>’Tween ma love an’ me.</span>
<br/>
<span>I never knowed how</span>
<br/>
<span>Wide a river can be.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Got to cross that river</span>
<br/>
<span>An’ git to ma baby somehow.</span>
<br/>
<span>Cross that river,</span>
<br/>
<span>Git to ma baby somehow,</span>
<br/>
<span>Cause if I don’t see ma baby</span>
<br/>
<span>I’ll lay down an’ die right now.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="homesick-blues" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Homesick Blues</h2>
<p>
<span>De railroad bridge’s</span>
<br/>
<span>A sad song in de air.</span>
<br/>
<span>De railroad bridge’s</span>
<br/>
<span>A sad song in de air.</span>
<br/>
<span>Ever time de trains pass</span>
<br/>
<span>I wants to go somewhere.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I went down to de station.</span>
<br/>
<span>Ma heart was in ma mouth.</span>
<br/>
<span>Went down to de station.</span>
<br/>
<span>Heart was in ma mouth.</span>
<br/>
<span>Lookin’ for a box car</span>
<br/>
<span>To roll me to de South.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Homesick blues, Lawd,</span>
<br/>
<span>’S a terrible thing to have.</span>
<br/>
<span>Homesick blues is</span>
<br/>
<span>A terrible thing to have.</span>
<br/>
<span>To keep from cryin’</span>
<br/>
<span>I opens ma mouth an’ laughs.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="ruby-brown" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Ruby Brown</h2>
<p>
<span>She was young and beautiful</span>
<br/>
<span>And golden like the sunshine</span>
<br/>
<span>That warmed her body.</span>
<br/>
<span>And because she was colored</span>
<br/>
<span>Mayville had no place to offer her,</span>
<br/>
<span>Nor fuel for the clean flame of joy</span>
<br/>
<span>That tried to burn within her soul.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>One day,</span>
<br/>
<span>Sitting on old <abbr epub:type="z3998:name-title">Mrs.</abbr> Latham’s back porch</span>
<br/>
<span>Polishing the silver,</span>
<br/>
<span>She asked herself two questions</span>
<br/>
<span>And they ran something like this:</span>
<br/>
<span>What can a colored girl do</span>
<br/>
<span>On the money from a white woman’s kitchen?</span>
<br/>
<span>And ain’t there any joy in this town?</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Now the streets down by the river</span>
<br/>
<span>Know more about this pretty Ruby Brown,</span>
<br/>
<span>And the sinister shuttered houses of the bottoms</span>
<br/>
<span>Hold a yellow girl</span>
<br/>
<span>Seeking an answer to her questions.</span>
<br/>
<span>The good church folk do not mention</span>
<br/>
<span>Her name any more.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>But the white men,</span>
<br/>
<span>Habitués of the high shuttered houses,</span>
<br/>
<span>Pay more money to her now</span>
<br/>
<span>Than they ever did before,</span>
<br/>
<span>When she worked in their kitchens.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="formula" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Formula</h2>
<p>
<span>Poetry should treat</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Of lofty things</span>
<br/>
<span>Soaring thoughts</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">And birds with wings.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>The Muse of Poetry</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Should not know</span>
<br/>
<span>That roses</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">In manure grow.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>The Muse of Poetry</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Should not care</span>
<br/>
<span>That earthly pain</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Is everywhere.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Poetry!</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Treats of lofty things:</span>
<br/>
<span>Soaring thoughts</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">And birds with wings.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="autumn-note" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Autumn Note</h2>
<p>
<span>The little flowers of yesterday</span>
<br/>
<span>Have all forgotten May.</span>
<br/>
<span>The last gold leaf</span>
<br/>
<span>Has turned to brown.</span>
<br/>
<span>The last bright day is grey.</span>
<br/>
<span>The cold of winter comes apace</span>
<br/>
<span>And you have gone away.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="for-dead-mimes" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">For Dead Mimes</h2>
<p>
<span>Oh, white-faced mimes,</span>
<br/>
<span>May rose leaves</span>
<br/>
<span>Cover you like snow.</span>
<br/>
<span>And may Pierrette,</span>
<br/>
<span>The faithful,</span>
<br/>
<span>Rest forever with Pierrot.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="new-year" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">New Year</h2>
<p>
<span>The years</span>
<br/>
<span>Fall like dry leaves</span>
<br/>
<span>From the top-less tree</span>
<br/>
<span>Of eternity.</span>
<br/>
<span>Does it matter</span>
<br/>
<span>That another leaf has fallen?</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="epitaph" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Epitaph</h2>
<p>
<span>Within this grave I lie,</span>
<br/>
<span>Yes, I.</span>
<br/>
<span>Why laugh, good people,</span>
<br/>
<span>Or why cry?</span>
<br/>
<span>Within this grave</span>
<br/>
<span>Lies nothing more</span>
<br/>
<span>Than I.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="to-beauty" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">To Beauty</h2>
<p>
<span>To worship</span>
<br/>
<span>At the altar of Beauty,</span>
<br/>
<span>To feel her loveliness and pain,</span>
<br/>
<span>To thrill</span>
<br/>
<span>At the wonder of her gorgeous moon</span>
<br/>
<span>Or the sharp, swift, silver swords</span>
<br/>
<span>Of falling rain.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>To walk in a golden garden</span>
<br/>
<span>When an autumn sun</span>
<br/>
<span>Has almost set,</span>
<br/>
<span>When near-night’s purple splendor</span>
<br/>
<span>Shimmers to a star-shine net.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>To worship</span>
<br/>
<span>At the altar of Beauty</span>
<br/>
<span>Is a pleasure divine,</span>
<br/>
<span>Not given to the many many</span>
<br/>
<span>But to fools</span>
<br/>
<span>Who drink Beauty’s wine.</span>
<br/>
<span>Not given to the many many</span>
<br/>
<span>But to fools</span>
<br/>
<span>Who seek no other goddess</span>
<br/>
<span>Nor grapes</span>
<br/>
<span>Plucked from another’s</span>
<br/>
<span>Vine.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="bound-noth-blues" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Bound No’th Blues</h2>
<p>
<span>Goin’ down de road, Lawd,</span>
<br/>
<span>Goin’ down de road.</span>
<br/>
<span>Down de road, Lawd,</span>
<br/>
<span>Way, way down de road.</span>
<br/>
<span>Got to find somebody</span>
<br/>
<span>To help me carry dis load.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Road’s in front o’ me,</span>
<br/>
<span>Nothin’ to do but walk.</span>
<br/>
<span>Road’s in front o’ me,</span>
<br/>
<span>Walk⁠ ⁠… and walk⁠ ⁠… and walk.</span>
<br/>
<span>I’d like to meet a good friend</span>
<br/>
<span>To come along an’ talk.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Hates to be lonely,</span>
<br/>
<span>Lawd, I hates to be sad.</span>
<br/>
<span>Says I hates to be lonely,</span>
<br/>
<span>Hates to be lonely an’ sad,</span>
<br/>
<span>But ever friend you finds seems</span>
<br/>
<span>Like they try to do you bad.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Road, road, road, O!</span>
<br/>
<span>Road, road⁠ ⁠… road⁠ ⁠… road, road!</span>
<br/>
<span>Road, road, road, O!</span>
<br/>
<span>On de No’thern road.</span>
<br/>
<span>These Mississippi towns ain’t</span>
<br/>
<span>Fit fer a hoppin’ toad.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="lonesome-place" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Lonesome Place</h2>
<p>
<span>I got to leave this town.</span>
<br/>
<span>It’s a lonesome place.</span>
<br/>
<span>Got to leave this town cause</span>
<br/>
<span>It’s a lonesome place.</span>
<br/>
<span>A po’, po’ boy can’t</span>
<br/>
<span>Find a friendly face.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Goin’ down to de river</span>
<br/>
<span>Flowin’ deep an’ slow.</span>
<br/>
<span>Goin’ down to de river</span>
<br/>
<span>Deep an’ slow.⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>Cause there ain’t no worries</span>
<br/>
<span>Where de waters go.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I’m weary, weary,</span>
<br/>
<span>Weary, as I can be.</span>
<br/>
<span>Weary, weary,</span>
<br/>
<span>Weary as can be.</span>
<br/>
<span>This life’s so weary,</span>
<br/>
<span>’S ’bout to overcome me.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="misery" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Misery</h2>
<p>
<span>Play de blues for me.</span>
<br/>
<span>Play de blues for me.</span>
<br/>
<span>No other music</span>
<br/>
<span>’Ll ease ma misery.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Sing a soothin’ song.</span>
<br/>
<span>Said a soothin’ song,</span>
<br/>
<span>Cause de man I love’s done</span>
<br/>
<span>Done me wrong.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Can’t you understand,</span>
<br/>
<span>O, understand</span>
<br/>
<span>A good woman’s cryin’</span>
<br/>
<span>For a no-good man?</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Black gal like me,</span>
<br/>
<span>Black gal like me</span>
<br/>
<span>’S got to hear a blues</span>
<br/>
<span>For her misery.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="bad-luck-card" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Bad Luck Card</h2>
<p>
<span>Cause you don’t love me</span>
<br/>
<span>Is awful, awful hard.</span>
<br/>
<span>Gypsy done showed me</span>
<br/>
<span>Ma bad luck card.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>There ain’t no good left</span>
<br/>
<span>In this world for me.</span>
<br/>
<span>Gypsy done tole me⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>Unlucky as can be.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I don’t know what</span>
<br/>
<span>Po’ weary me can do.</span>
<br/>
<span>Gypsy says I’d kill ma self</span>
<br/>
<span>If I was you.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="feet-o-jesus" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Feet o’ Jesus</h2>
<p>
<span>At de feet o’ Jesus,</span>
<br/>
<span>Sorrow like a sea.</span>
<br/>
<span>Lordy, let yo’ mercy</span>
<br/>
<span>Come driftin’ down on me.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>At de feet o’ Jesus,</span>
<br/>
<span>At yo’ feet I stand.</span>
<br/>
<span>O, ma little Jesus,</span>
<br/>
<span>Please reach out yo’ hand.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="down-an-out" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Down an’ Out</h2>
<p>
<span>If you loves me</span>
<br/>
<span>Help me when I’m down an’ out.</span>
<br/>
<span>If you loves me</span>
<br/>
<span>Help me when I’m down an’ out.</span>
<br/>
<span>Cause I’m a po’ gal that</span>
<br/>
<span>Nobody gives a damn about.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>’Stalment man’s done took ma clothes</span>
<br/>
<span>An’ rent time’s most nigh here.</span>
<br/>
<span>’Stalment man’s done took ma clothes,</span>
<br/>
<span>Rent time’s most nigh here.</span>
<br/>
<span>I’d like to buy a straightenin’ comb</span>
<br/>
<span>An’ I needs a dime for beer.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Talk about yo’ friendly friends</span>
<br/>
<span>Bein’ kind to you.</span>
<br/>
<span>Talk about yo’ friendly friends</span>
<br/>
<span>Bein’ kind to you:</span>
<br/>
<span>Just let yo’self git down an’ out</span>
<br/>
<span>An’ then see what they’ll do.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="fog" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Fog</h2>
<p>
<span>Singing black boatmen</span>
<br/>
<span>An August morning</span>
<br/>
<span>In the thick white fog at Sekondi</span>
<br/>
<span>Coming out to take cargo</span>
<br/>
<span>From anchored alien ships,</span>
<br/>
<span>You do not know the fog</span>
<br/>
<span>We strange so-civilized ones</span>
<br/>
<span>Sail in always.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="pictures-to-the-wall" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Pictures to the Wall</h2>
<p>
<span>Shall I tell you of my old, old dreams</span>
<br/>
<span>Lost at the earth’s strange turnings,</span>
<br/>
<span>Some in the sea when the waves foamed high,</span>
<br/>
<span>Some in a garret candle’s burnings?</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Shall I tell you of bitter, forgotten dreams⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>You who are still so young, so young?</span>
<br/>
<span>You with your wide brown singing eyes</span>
<br/>
<span>And laughter at the tip of your tongue.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Shall I tell you of weary, weary dreams⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>You who have lost no dreams at all,</span>
<br/>
<span>Or shall I keep quiet and let turn</span>
<br/>
<span>My ugly pictures to the wall?</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="walls" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Walls</h2>
<p>
<span>Four walls can hold</span>
<br/>
<span>Oh, so much pain:</span>
<br/>
<span>Four walls that shield</span>
<br/>
<span>From the wind and rain.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Four walls can keep</span>
<br/>
<span>Oh, so much sorrow</span>
<br/>
<span>Garnered from yesterday</span>
<br/>
<span>And held for tomorrow.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="beale-street-love" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Beale Street Love</h2>
<p>
<span>Love</span>
<br/>
<span>Is a brown man’s fist</span>
<br/>
<span>With hard knuckles</span>
<br/>
<span>Crushing the lips,</span>
<br/>
<span>Blackening the eyes⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>Hit me again,</span>
<br/>
<span>Says Clorinda.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="dressed-up" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Dressed Up</h2>
<p>
<span>I had ma clothes cleaned</span>
<br/>
<span>Just like new.</span>
<br/>
<span>I put ’em on but</span>
<br/>
<span>I still feels biue.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I bought a new hat,</span>
<br/>
<span>Sho is fine,</span>
<br/>
<span>But I wish I had back that</span>
<br/>
<span>Old gal o’ mine.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I got new shoes⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>They don’t hurt ma feet,</span>
<br/>
<span>But I ain’t got nobody</span>
<br/>
<span>For to call me sweet.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="a-house-in-taos" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">A House in Taos</h2>
<section id="a-house-in-taos-rain">
<h3 epub:type="title">Rain</h3>
<p>
<span>Thunder of the Rain God:</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">And we three</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Smitten by beauty.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Thunder of the Rain God:</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">And we three</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Weary, weary.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Thunder of the Rain God:</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">And you, she, and I</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Waiting for nothingness.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Do you understand the stillness</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Of this house in Taos</span>
<br/>
<span>Under the thunder of the Rain God?</span>
</p>
</section>
<section id="a-house-in-taos-sun">
<h3 epub:type="title">Sun</h3>
<p>
<span>That there should be a barren garden</span>
<br/>
<span>About this house in Taos</span>
<br/>
<span>Is not so strange,</span>
<br/>
<span>But that there should be three barren hearts</span>
<br/>
<span>In this one house in Taos⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>Who carries ugly things to show the sun?</span>
</p>
</section>
<section id="a-house-in-taos-moon">
<h3 epub:type="title">Moon</h3>
<p>
<span>Did you ask for the beaten brass of the moon?</span>
<br/>
<span>We can buy lovely things with money,</span>
<br/>
<span>You, she and I,</span>
<br/>
<span>Yet you seek</span>
<br/>
<span>As though you could keep,</span>
<br/>
<span>This unbought loveliness of moon.</span>
</p>
</section>
<section id="a-house-in-taos-wind">
<h3 epub:type="title">Wind</h3>
<p>
<span>Touch our bodies, wind.</span>
<br/>
<span>Our bodies are separate individual things.</span>
<br/>
<span>Touch our bodies, wind,</span>
<br/>
<span>But blow quickly</span>
<br/>
<span>Through the red, white, yellow skins</span>
<br/>
<span>Of our bodies</span>
<br/>
<span>To the terrible snarl,</span>
<br/>
<span>Not mine,</span>
<br/>
<span>Not yours,</span>
<br/>
<span>Not hers,</span>
<br/>
<span>But all one snarl of souls.</span>
<br/>
<span>Blow quickly, wind,</span>
<br/>
<span>Before we run back into the windlessness⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>With our bodies⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>Into the windlessness</span>
<br/>
<span>Of our house in Taos.</span>
</p>
</section>
</article>
<article id="suicide" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Suicide</h2>
<p>
<span>Ma sweet good man has</span>
<br/>
<span>Packed his trunk and left.</span>
<br/>
<span>Ma sweet good man has</span>
<br/>
<span>Packed his trunk and left.</span>
<br/>
<span>Nobody to love me:</span>
<br/>
<span>I’m gonna kill ma self.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I’m gonna buy me a knife with</span>
<br/>
<span>A blade ten inches long.</span>
<br/>
<span>Gonna buy a knife with</span>
<br/>
<span>A blade ten inches long.</span>
<br/>
<span>Shall I carve ma self or</span>
<br/>
<span>That man that done me wrong?</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>’Lieve I’ll jump in de river</span>
<br/>
<span>Eighty-nine feet deep.</span>
<br/>
<span>’Lieve I’ll jump in de river</span>
<br/>
<span>Eighty-nine feet deep.</span>
<br/>
<span>Cause de river’s quiet</span>
<br/>
<span>An’ a po’, po’ gal can sleep.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="hard-luck" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Hard Luck</h2>
<p>
<span>When hard luck overtakes you</span>
<br/>
<span>Nothin’ for you to do.</span>
<br/>
<span>When hard luck overtakes you</span>
<br/>
<span>Nothin’ for you to do.</span>
<br/>
<span>Gather up yo’ fine clothes</span>
<br/>
<span>An’ sell ’em to de Jew.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Jew takes yo’ fine clothes,</span>
<br/>
<span>Gives you a dollar an’ a half.</span>
<br/>
<span>Jew takes yo’ fine clothes,</span>
<br/>
<span>Gives you a dollar an’ a half.</span>
<br/>
<span>Go to de bootleg’s,</span>
<br/>
<span>Git some gin to make you laugh.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>If I was a mule I’d</span>
<br/>
<span>Git me a wagon to haul.</span>
<br/>
<span>If I was a mule I’d</span>
<br/>
<span>Git a wagon to haul.</span>
<br/>
<span>I’m so low-down I</span>
<br/>
<span>Ain’t even got a stall.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="po-boy-blues" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Po’ Boy Blues</h2>
<p>
<span>When I was home de</span>
<br/>
<span>Sunshine seemed like gold.</span>
<br/>
<span>When I was home de</span>
<br/>
<span>Sunshine seemed like gold.</span>
<br/>
<span>Since I come up North de</span>
<br/>
<span>Whole damn world’s turned cold.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I was a good boy,</span>
<br/>
<span>Never done no wrong.</span>
<br/>
<span>Yes, I was a good boy,</span>
<br/>
<span>Never done no wrong,</span>
<br/>
<span>But this world is weary</span>
<br/>
<span>An’ de road is hard an’ long.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I fell in love with</span>
<br/>
<span>A gal I thought was kind.</span>
<br/>
<span>Fell in love with</span>
<br/>
<span>A gal I thought was kind.</span>
<br/>
<span>She made me lose ma money</span>
<br/>
<span>An’ almost lose ma mind.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Weary, weary,</span>
<br/>
<span>Weary early in de morn.</span>
<br/>
<span>Weary, weary,</span>
<br/>
<span>Early, early in de morn.</span>
<br/>
<span>I’s so weary</span>
<br/>
<span>I wish I’d never been born.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="red-roses" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Red Roses</h2>
<p>
<span>I’m waitin’ for de springtime</span>
<br/>
<span>When de tulips grow⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>Sweet, sweet springtime</span>
<br/>
<span>When de tulips grow;</span>
<br/>
<span>Cause if I’d die in de winter</span>
<br/>
<span>They’d bury me under snow.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Un’neath de snow, Lawd,</span>
<br/>
<span>Oh, what would I do?</span>
<br/>
<span>Un’neath de snow,</span>
<br/>
<span>I say what would I do?</span>
<br/>
<span>It’s bad enough to die but</span>
<br/>
<span>I don’t want freezin’ too.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I’m waitin’ for de springtime</span>
<br/>
<span>An’ de roses red,</span>
<br/>
<span>Waitin’ for de springtime</span>
<br/>
<span>When de roses red</span>
<br/>
<span>’Ll make a nice coverin’</span>
<br/>
<span>Fer a gal that’s dead.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="railroad-adventure" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Railroad Adventure</h2>
<p>
<span>Dusk dark</span>
<br/>
<span>On Railroad Avenue.</span>
<br/>
<span>Lights in the fish joints,</span>
<br/>
<span>Lights in the pool rooms.</span>
<br/>
<span>A box-car some train</span>
<br/>
<span>Has forgotten</span>
<br/>
<span>In the middle of the</span>
<br/>
<span>Block.</span>
<br/>
<span>A player piano,</span>
<br/>
<span>A victrola.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">942</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Was the number.</span>
<br/>
<span>A boy</span>
<br/>
<span>Lounging on a corner.</span>
<br/>
<span>A passing girl</span>
<br/>
<span>With purple powdered skin.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Laughter</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Suddenly</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Like a taut drum.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Laughter</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Suddenly</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Neither truth nor lie.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Laughter</span>
<br/>
<span>Hardening the dusk dark evening.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Laughter</span>
<br/>
<span>Shaking the lights in the fish joints,</span>
<br/>
<span>Rolling white balls in the pool rooms,</span>
<br/>
<span>And leaving untouched the box-car</span>
<br/>
<span>Some train has forgotten.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="elevator-boy" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Elevator Boy</h2>
<p>
<span>I got a job now</span>
<br/>
<span>Runnin’ an elevator</span>
<br/>
<span>In the Dennison Hotel in Jersey.</span>
<br/>
<span>Job ain’t no good though.</span>
<br/>
<span>No money around.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Jobs are just chances</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Like everthing else.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Maybe a little luck now,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Maybe not.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Maybe a good job sometimes:</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Step out o’ the barrel, boy.</span>
<br/>
<span>Two new suits an’</span>
<br/>
<span>A woman to sleep with.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Maybe no luck for a long time.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Only the elevators</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Goin’ up an’ down,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Up an’ down,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Or somebody elses’ shoes</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">To shine,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Or greasy pots in a dirty kitchen.</span>
<br/>
<span>I been runnin’ this</span>
<br/>
<span>Elevator too long.</span>
<br/>
<span>Guess I’ll quit now.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="stars" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Stars</h2>
<p>
<span>O, sweep of stars over Harlem streets,</span>
<br/>
<span>O, little breath of oblivion that is night;</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">A city building</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">To a mother’s song.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">A city building</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">To a lullabye.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Dark boy,</span>
<br/>
<span>Reach up your hand and take a star</span>
<br/>
<span>Out of the little breath of oblivion</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">That is night,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Take just one star.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="brass-spitoons" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Brass Spitoons</h2>
<p>
<span>Clean the spitoons, boy.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Detroit,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Chicago,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Atlantic City,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Palm Beach.</span>
<br/>
<span>Clean the spitoons.</span>
<br/>
<span>The steam in hotel kitchens,</span>
<br/>
<span>And the smoke in hotel lobbies,</span>
<br/>
<span>And the slime in hotel spitoons:</span>
<br/>
<span>Part of my life.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Hey, boy!</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">A nickel,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">A dime,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">A dollar,</span>
<br/>
<span>Two dollars a day.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Hey, boy!</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">A nickel,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">A dime,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">A dollar,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Two dollars</span>
<br/>
<span>Buys shoes for the baby.</span>
<br/>
<span>House rent to pay.</span>
<br/>
<span>Gin on Saturday,</span>
<br/>
<span>Church on Sunday.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">My God!</span>
<br/>
<span>Babies and girl and church</span>
<br/>
<span>and women and Sunday</span>
<br/>
<span>all mixed up with dimes and</span>
<br/>
<span>dollars and clean spitoons</span>
<br/>
<span>and house rent to pay.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Hey, boy!</span>
<br/>
<span>A bright bowl of brass is beautiful to the Lord.</span>
<br/>
<span>Bright polished brass like the cymbals</span>
<br/>
<span>Of King David’s dancers,</span>
<br/>
<span>Like the wine cups of Solomon.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Hey, boy!</span>
<br/>
<span>A clean spitoon on the altar of the Lord.</span>
<br/>
<span>A clean bright spitoon all newly polished⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>At least I can offer that.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Com’ mere, boy!</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="the-new-cabaret-girl" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">The New Cabaret Girl</h2>
<p>
<span>That little yaller gal</span>
<br/>
<span>Wid blue-green eyes:</span>
<br/>
<span>If her daddy ain’t white</span>
<br/>
<span>Would be a surprise.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>She don’t drink gin</span>
<br/>
<span>An’ she don’t like corn.</span>
<br/>
<span>I asked her one night</span>
<br/>
<span>Where she was born.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>An’ she say, Honey,</span>
<br/>
<span>I don’t know</span>
<br/>
<span>Where I come from</span>
<br/>
<span>Or where I go.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>That crazy little yaller gal</span>
<br/>
<span>Wid blue-green eyes:</span>
<br/>
<span>If her daddy ain’t ’fay</span>
<br/>
<span>Would be a surprise.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>An’ there she sets a cryin’</span>
<br/>
<span>In de cabaret</span>
<br/>
<span>A lookin’ all sad</span>
<br/>
<span>When she ought to play.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>My God, I says,</span>
<br/>
<span>You can’t live that way!</span>
<br/>
<span>Babe, you can’t</span>
<br/>
<span>Live that way!</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="argument" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Argument</h2>
<p>
<span>Now lookahere, gal,</span>
<br/>
<span>Don’t you talk ’bout me.</span>
<br/>
<span>I got mo’ hair ’n you evah did see,</span>
<br/>
<span>An’ if I ain’t high yaller</span>
<br/>
<span>I ain’t coal black,</span>
<br/>
<span>So what you said ’bout me</span>
<br/>
<span>You bettah take it back.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span class="i1">Now, listen, Corrine,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">I don’t talk ’bout you.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">I’s got much mo’</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Important things to do.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>All right, gal,</span>
<br/>
<span>But I’m speakin’ ma mind:</span>
<br/>
<span>You bettah keep yo’ freight train</span>
<br/>
<span>Off ma line.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="saturday-night" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Saturday Night</h2>
<p>
<span>Play it once.</span>
<br/>
<span>O, play some more.</span>
<br/>
<span>Charlie is a gambler</span>
<br/>
<span>An’ Sadie is a whore.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">A glass o’ whiskey</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">An’ a glass o’ gin:</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Strut, <abbr epub:type="z3998:name-title">Mr.</abbr> Charlie,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Till de dawn comes in.</span>
<br/>
<span>Pawn yo’ gold watch</span>
<br/>
<span>An’ diamond ring.</span>
<br/>
<span>Git a quart o’ licker,</span>
<br/>
<span>Let’s shake dat thing!</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Skee-de-dad! De-dad!</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Doo-doo-doo!</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Won’t be nothin’ left</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">When de worms git through</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">An’ you’s a long time</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Dead</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">When you is</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Dead, too.</span>
<br/>
<span>So beat dat drum, boy!</span>
<br/>
<span>Shout dat song:</span>
<br/>
<span>Shake ’em up an’ shake ’em up</span>
<br/>
<span>All night long.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Hey! Hey!</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Ho⁠ ⁠… Hum!</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Do, it, <abbr epub:type="z3998:name-title">Mr.</abbr> Charlie,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Till de red dawn come.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="the-cat-and-the-saxophone" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<hgroup>
<h2 epub:type="title">The Cat and the Saxophone</h2>
<p epub:type="subtitle">(2 <abbr>A.M.</abbr>)</p>
</hgroup>
<p>
<span>
<b>Everybody</b>
</span>
<br/>
<span>Half-pint⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>Gin?</span>
<br/>
<span>No, make it</span>
<br/>
<span>
<b>loves my baby</b>
</span>
<br/>
<span>corn. You like</span>
<br/>
<span>liquor,</span>
<br/>
<span>don’t you, honey?</span>
<br/>
<span>
<b>but my baby</b>
</span>
<br/>
<span>Sure. Kiss me,</span>
<br/>
<span>
<b>don’t love nobody</b>
</span>
<br/>
<span>daddy.</span>
<br/>
<span>
<b>but me.</b>
</span>
<br/>
<span>Say!</span>
<br/>
<span>
<b>Everybody</b>
</span>
<br/>
<span>Yes?</span>
<br/>
<span>
<b>wants my baby</b>
</span>
<br/>
<span>I’m your</span>
<br/>
<span>
<b>but my baby</b>
</span>
<br/>
<span>sweetie, ain’t I?</span>
<br/>
<span>
<b>don’t want nobody</b>
</span>
<br/>
<span>Sure.</span>
<br/>
<span>
<b>but</b>
</span>
<br/>
<span>Then let’s</span>
<br/>
<span>
<b>me,</b>
</span>
<br/>
<span>do it!</span>
<br/>
<span>
<b>sweet me.</b>
</span>
<br/>
<span>Charleston,</span>
<br/>
<span>mamma!</span>
<br/>
<span>!</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="to-a-little-lover-lass-dead" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">To a Little Lover-Lass, Dead</h2>
<p>
<span>She</span>
<br/>
<span>Who searched for lovers</span>
<br/>
<span>In the night</span>
<br/>
<span>Has gone the quiet way</span>
<br/>
<span>Into the still,</span>
<br/>
<span>Dark land of death</span>
<br/>
<span>Beyond the rim of day.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Now like a little lonely waif</span>
<br/>
<span>She walks</span>
<br/>
<span>An endless street</span>
<br/>
<span>And gives her kiss to nothingness.</span>
<br/>
<span>Would God his lips were sweet!</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="harlem-night-club" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Harlem Night Club</h2>
<p>
<span>Sleek black boys in a cabaret.</span>
<br/>
<span>Jazz-band, jazz-band⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>Play, pl<strong>ay, play</strong>!</span>
<br/>
<span>Tomorrow⁠ ⁠… who knows?</span>
<br/>
<span>Dance today!</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>White girls’ eyes</span>
<br/>
<span>Call gay black boys.</span>
<br/>
<span>Black boys’ lips</span>
<br/>
<span>Grin jungle joys.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Dark brown girls</span>
<br/>
<span>In blond men’s arms.</span>
<br/>
<span>Jazz-band, jazz-band⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>Sing Eve’s charms!</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>White ones, brown ones,</span>
<br/>
<span>What do you know</span>
<br/>
<span>About tomorrow</span>
<br/>
<span>Where all paths go?</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Jazz-boys, jazz-boys,⁠–⁠</span>
<br/>
<span>Play, pl<strong>ay, play</strong>!</span>
<br/>
<span>Tomorrow⁠ ⁠… is darkness.</span>
<br/>
<span>Joy today!</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="to-a-black-dancer-in-the-little-savoy" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">To a Black Dancer in “The Little Savoy”</h2>
<p>
<span>Wine-maiden</span>
<br/>
<span>Of the jazz-tuned night,</span>
<br/>
<span>Lips</span>
<br/>
<span>Sweet as purple dew,</span>
<br/>
<span>Breasts</span>
<br/>
<span>Like the pillows of all sweet dreams,</span>
<br/>
<span>Who crushed</span>
<br/>
<span>The grapes of joy</span>
<br/>
<span>And dripped their juice</span>
<br/>
<span>On you?</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="blues-fantasy" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Blues Fantasy</h2>
<p>
<span>Hey! Hey!</span>
<br/>
<span>That’s what the</span>
<br/>
<span>Blues singers say.</span>
<br/>
<span>Singing minor melodies</span>
<br/>
<span>They laugh,</span>
<br/>
<span>Hey! Hey!</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>My man’s done left me,</span>
<br/>
<span>Chile, he’s gone away.</span>
<br/>
<span>My good man’s left me,</span>
<br/>
<span>Babe, he’s gone away.</span>
<br/>
<span>Now the cryin’ blues</span>
<br/>
<span>Haunts me night and day.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Hey!⁠ ⁠… Hey!</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Weary,</span>
<br/>
<span>Weary,</span>
<br/>
<span>Trouble, pain.</span>
<br/>
<span>Sun’s gonna shine</span>
<br/>
<span>Somewhere</span>
<br/>
<span>Again.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I got a railroad ticket,</span>
<br/>
<span>Pack my trunk and ride.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Sing ’em, sister!</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Got a railroad ticket,</span>
<br/>
<span>Pack my trunk and ride.</span>
<br/>
<span>And when I get on the train</span>
<br/>
<span>I’ll cast my blues aside.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Laughing,</span>
<br/>
<span>Hey!⁠ ⁠… Hey!</span>
<br/>
<span>Laugh a loud,</span>
<br/>
<span>Hey! Hey!</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="lenox-avenue-midnight" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Lenox Avenue: Midnight</h2>
<p>
<span>The rhythm of life</span>
<br/>
<span>Is a jazz rhythm,</span>
<br/>
<span>Honey.</span>
<br/>
<span>The gods are laughing at us.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>The broken heart of love,</span>
<br/>
<span>The weary, weary heart of pain⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Overtones,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Undertones,</span>
<br/>
<span>To the rumble of street cars,</span>
<br/>
<span>To the swish of rain.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Lenox Avenue,</span>
<br/>
<span>Honey.</span>
<br/>
<span>Midnight,</span>
<br/>
<span>And the gods are laughing at us.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="poeme-d-automne" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 lang="fr" epub:type="title" xml:lang="fr">Poème d’Automne</h2>
<p>
<span>The autumn leaves</span>
<br/>
<span>Are too heavy with color.</span>
<br/>
<span>The slender trees</span>
<br/>
<span>On the Vulcan Road</span>
<br/>
<span>Are dressed in scarlet and gold</span>
<br/>
<span>Like young courtesans</span>
<br/>
<span>Waiting for their lovers.</span>
<br/>
<span>But soon</span>
<br/>
<span>The winter winds</span>
<br/>
<span>Will strip their bodies bare</span>
<br/>
<span>And then</span>
<br/>
<span>The sharp, sleet-stung</span>
<br/>
<span>Caresses of the cold</span>
<br/>
<span>Will be their only</span>
<br/>
<span>Love.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="march-moon" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">March Moon</h2>
<p>
<span>The moon is naked.</span>
<br/>
<span>The wind has undressed the moon.</span>
<br/>
<span>The wind has blown all the cloud-garments</span>
<br/>
<span>Off the body of the moon</span>
<br/>
<span>And now she’s naked,</span>
<br/>
<span>Stark naked.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>But why don’t you blush,</span>
<br/>
<span>O shameless moon?</span>
<br/>
<span>Don’t you know</span>
<br/>
<span>It isn’t nice to be naked?</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="as-i-grew-older" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">As I Grew Older</h2>
<p>
<span>It was a long time ago.</span>
<br/>
<span>I have almost forgotten my dream.</span>
<br/>
<span>But it was there then,</span>
<br/>
<span>In front of me,</span>
<br/>
<span>Bright like a sun⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>My dream.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>And then the wall rose,</span>
<br/>
<span>Rose slowly,</span>
<br/>
<span>Slowly,</span>
<br/>
<span>Between me and my dream.</span>
<br/>
<span>Rose slowly, slowly,</span>
<br/>
<span>Dimming,</span>
<br/>
<span>Hiding,</span>
<br/>
<span>The light of my dream.</span>
<br/>
<span>Rose until it touched the sky⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>The wall.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Shadow.</span>
<br/>
<span>I am black.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I lie down in the shadow.</span>
<br/>
<span>No longer the light of my dream before me,</span>
<br/>
<span>Above me.</span>
<br/>
<span>Only the thick wall.</span>
<br/>
<span>Only the shadow.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>My hands!</span>
<br/>
<span>My dark hands!</span>
<br/>
<span>Break through the wall!</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Find my dream!</span>
<br/>
<span>Help me to shatter this darkness,</span>
<br/>
<span>To smash this night,</span>
<br/>
<span>To break this shadow</span>
<br/>
<span>Into a thousand lights of sun,</span>
<br/>
<span>Into a thousand whirling dreams</span>
<br/>
<span>Of sun!</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="harlem-night-song" epub:type="z3998:song bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Harlem Night Song</h2>
<p>
<span>Come,</span>
<br/>
<span>Let us roam the night together</span>
<br/>
<span>Singing.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I love you.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Across</span>
<br/>
<span>The Harlem roof-tops</span>
<br/>
<span>Moon is shining.</span>
<br/>
<span>Night sky is blue.</span>
<br/>
<span>Stars are great drops</span>
<br/>
<span>Of golden dew.</span>
<br/>
<span>In the cabaret</span>
<br/>
<span>The jazz-band’s playing.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I love you.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Come,</span>
<br/>
<span>Let us roam the night together</span>
<br/>
<span>Singing.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="ardella" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Ardella</h2>
<p>
<span>I would liken you</span>
<br/>
<span>To a night without stars</span>
<br/>
<span>Were it not for your eyes.</span>
<br/>
<span>I would liken you</span>
<br/>
<span>To a sleep without dreams</span>
<br/>
<span>Were it not for your songs.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="pierrot" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Pierrot</h2>
<p>
<span>I work all day,</span>
<br/>
<span>Said Simple John,</span>
<br/>
<span>Myself a house to buy.</span>
<br/>
<span>I work all day,</span>
<br/>
<span>Said Simple John,</span>
<br/>
<span>But Pierrot wondered why.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>For Pierrot loved the long white road,</span>
<br/>
<span>And Pierrot loved the moon,</span>
<br/>
<span>And Pierrot loved a star-filled sky,</span>
<br/>
<span>And the breath of a rose in June.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I have one wife,</span>
<br/>
<span>Said Simple John,</span>
<br/>
<span>And, faith, I love her yet.</span>
<br/>
<span>I have one wife,</span>
<br/>
<span>Said Simple John,</span>
<br/>
<span>But Pierrot left Pierrette.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>For Pierrot saw a world of girls,</span>
<br/>
<span>And Pierrot loved each one,</span>
<br/>
<span>And Pierrot thought all maidens fair</span>
<br/>
<span>As flowers in the sun.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Oh, I am good,</span>
<br/>
<span>Said Simple John,</span>
<br/>
<span>The Lord will take me in.</span>
<br/>
<span>Yes, I am good,</span>
<br/>
<span>Said Simple John,</span>
<br/>
<span>But Pierrot’s steeped in sin.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>For Pierrot played on a slim guitar,</span>
<br/>
<span>And Pierrot loved the moon,</span>
<br/>
<span>And Pierrot ran down the long white road</span>
<br/>
<span>With the burgher’s wife one June.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="waterfront-streets" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Water-Front Streets</h2>
<p>
<span>The spring is not so beautiful there⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">But dream ships sail away</span>
<br/>
<span>To where the spring is wondrous rare</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">And life is gay.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>The spring is not so beautiful there⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">But lads put out to sea</span>
<br/>
<span>Who carry beauties in their hearts</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">And dreams, like me.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="a-farewell" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">A Farewell</h2>
<p>
<span>With gypsies and sailors,</span>
<br/>
<span>Wanderers of the hills and seas,</span>
<br/>
<span>I go to seek my fortune.</span>
<br/>
<span>With pious folk and fair</span>
<br/>
<span>I must have a parting.</span>
<br/>
<span>But you will not miss me⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>You who live between the hills</span>
<br/>
<span>And have never seen the seas.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="long-trip" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Long Trip</h2>
<p>
<span>The sea is a wilderness of waves,</span>
<br/>
<span>A desert of water.</span>
<br/>
<span>We dip and dive,</span>
<br/>
<span>Rise and roll,</span>
<br/>
<span>Hide and are hidden</span>
<br/>
<span>On the sea.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Day, night,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Night, day,</span>
<br/>
<span>The sea is a desert of waves,</span>
<br/>
<span>A wilderness of water.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="port-town" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Port Town</h2>
<p>
<span>Hello, sailor boy,</span>
<br/>
<span>In from the sea!</span>
<br/>
<span>Hello, sailor,</span>
<br/>
<span>Come with me!</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Come on drink cognac.</span>
<br/>
<span>Rather have wine?</span>
<br/>
<span>Come here, I love you.</span>
<br/>
<span>Come and be mine.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Lights, sailor boy,</span>
<br/>
<span>Warm, white lights.</span>
<br/>
<span>Solid land, kid.</span>
<br/>
<span>Wild, white nights.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Come on, sailor,</span>
<br/>
<span>Out o’ the sea.</span>
<br/>
<span>Let’s go, sweetie!</span>
<br/>
<span>Come with me.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="sea-calm" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Sea Calm</h2>
<p>
<span>How still,</span>
<br/>
<span>How strangely still</span>
<br/>
<span>The water is today.</span>
<br/>
<span>It is not good</span>
<br/>
<span>For water</span>
<br/>
<span>To be so still that way.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="caribbean-sunset" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Caribbean Sunset</h2>
<p>
<span>God having a hemorrhage,</span>
<br/>
<span>Blood coughed across the sky,</span>
<br/>
<span>Staining the dark sea red,</span>
<br/>
<span>That is sunset in the Caribbean.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="natcha" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Natcha</h2>
<p>
<span>Natcha, offering love.</span>
<br/>
<span>For ten shillings offering love.</span>
<br/>
<span>Offering: A night with me, honey.</span>
<br/>
<span>A long, sweet night with me.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Come, drink palm wine.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Come, drink kisses.</span>
<br/>
<span>A long, dream night with me.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="death-of-an-old-seaman" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Death of an Old Seaman</h2>
<p>
<span>We buried him high on a windy hill,</span>
<br/>
<span>But his soul went out to sea.</span>
<br/>
<span>I know, for I heard, when all was still,</span>
<br/>
<span>His sea-soul say to me:</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Put no tombstone at my head,</span>
<br/>
<span>For here I do not make my bed.</span>
<br/>
<span>Strew no flowers on my grave,</span>
<br/>
<span>I’ve gone back to the wind and wave.</span>
<br/>
<span>Do not, do not weep for me,</span>
<br/>
<span>For I am happy with my sea.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="sick-room" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Sick Room</h2>
<p>
<span>How quiet</span>
<br/>
<span>It is in this sick room</span>
<br/>
<span>Where on the bed</span>
<br/>
<span>A silent woman lies between two lovers⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>Life and Death,</span>
<br/>
<span>And all three covered with a sheet of pain.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="to-the-dark-mercedes-of-el-palacio-de-amor" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">To the Dark Mercedes of “El Palacio de Amor”</h2>
<p>
<span>Mercedes is a jungle-lily in a death house.</span>
<br/>
<span>Mercedes is a doomed star.</span>
<br/>
<span>Mercedes is a charnel rose.</span>
<br/>
<span>Go where gold</span>
<br/>
<span>Will fall at the feet of your beauty,</span>
<br/>
<span>Mercedes.</span>
<br/>
<span>Go where they will pay you well</span>
<br/>
<span>For your loveliness.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="mulatto" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Mulatto</h2>
<p>
<span class="i1">
<em>I am your son, white man!</em>
</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Georgia dusk</span>
<br/>
<span>And the turpentine woods.</span>
<br/>
<span>One of the pillars of the temple fell.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span class="i1">
<em>You are my son!</em>
</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">
<em>Like hell!</em>
</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>The moon over the turpentine woods.</span>
<br/>
<span>The Southern night</span>
<br/>
<span>Full of stars,</span>
<br/>
<span>Great big yellow stars.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Juicy bodies</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Of nigger wenches</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Blue black</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Against black fences.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">O, you little bastard boy,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">What’s a body but a toy?</span>
<br/>
<span>The scent of pine wood stings the soft night air.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">
<em>What’s the body of your mother?</em>
</span>
<br/>
<span>Silver moonlight everywhere.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">
<em>What’s the body of your mother?</em>
</span>
<br/>
<span>Sharp pine scent in the evening air.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">A nigger night,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">A nigger joy,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">A little yellow</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Bastard boy.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span class="i1">
<em>Naw, you ain’t my brother.</em>
</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">
<em>Niggers ain’t my brother.</em>
</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">
<em>Not ever.</em>
</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">
<em>Niggers ain’t my brother.</em>
</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>The Southern night is full of stars,</span>
<br/>
<span>Great big yellow stars.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">O, sweet as earth,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Dusk dark bodies</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Give sweet birth</span>
<br/>
<span>To little yellow bastard boys.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>
<em>Git on back there in the night,</em>
</span>
<br/>
<span>
<em>You ain’t white.</em>
</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>The bright stars scatter everywhere.</span>
<br/>
<span>Pine wood scent in the evening air.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">A nigger night,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">A nigger joy.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span class="i1">
<em>I am your son, white man!</em>
</span>
</p>
<p>
<span class="i2">A little yellow</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Bastard boy.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="a-letter-to-anne" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">A Letter to Anne</h2>
<p>
<span>Since I left you, Anne,</span>
<br/>
<span>I have seen nothing but you.</span>
<br/>
<span>Every day</span>
<br/>
<span>Has been your face,</span>
<br/>
<span>And every night your hand,</span>
<br/>
<span>And every road</span>
<br/>
<span>Your voice calling me.</span>
<br/>
<span>And every rock and every flower and tree</span>
<br/>
<span>Has been a touch of you.</span>
<br/>
<span>Nowhere</span>
<br/>
<span>Have I seen anything else but you,</span>
<br/>
<span>Anne.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="in-the-mist-of-the-moon" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">In the Mist of the Moon</h2>
<p>
<span>In the mist of the moon I saw you,</span>
<br/>
<span>O, Nanette,</span>
<br/>
<span>And you were lovelier than the moon.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">You were darkness,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">And the body of darkness.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">And light,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">And the body of light.</span>
<br/>
<span>In the mist of the moon I saw you,</span>
<br/>
<span>Dark Nanette.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="song-rocks-and-the-firm-roots-of-trees" epub:type="z3998:song bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<hgroup>
<h2 epub:type="title">Song</h2>
<p hidden="hidden" epub:type="subtitle">Rocks and the Firm Roots of Trees</p>
</hgroup>
<p>
<span>Rocks and the firm roots of trees.</span>
<br/>
<span>The rising shafts of mountains.</span>
<br/>
<span>Something strong to put my hands on.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Sing, O Lord Jesus!</span>
<br/>
<span>Song is a strong thing.</span>
<br/>
<span>I heard my mother singing when you hurt her:</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>
<em>Gonna ride in ma chariot some day.</em>
</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>The branches rise from the firm roots of trees.</span>
<br/>
<span>The mountains rise from the solid lap of earth.</span>
<br/>
<span>The waves rise from the dead weight of sea.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Sing, O black mother!</span>
<br/>
<span>Song is a strong thing.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="for-an-indian-screen" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">For an Indian Screen</h2>
<p>
<span>Clutching at trees and clawing rocks</span>
<br/>
<span>And panting and climbing</span>
<br/>
<span>Until he reached the top</span>
<br/>
<span>A tiger in India</span>
<br/>
<span>Surmounted a cliff one day</span>
<br/>
<span>When the hunters were behind him</span>
<br/>
<span>And his lair was far away.</span>
<br/>
<span>A black and golden tiger</span>
<br/>
<span>Climbed a red cliff’s side</span>
<br/>
<span>And men in black and golden gowns</span>
<br/>
<span>Sought the tiger’s hide.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>O, splendid, supple animal:</span>
<br/>
<span>Against the cliff’s red face:</span>
<br/>
<span>A picture for an Indian screen</span>
<br/>
<span>Woven in silks of subtle sheen</span>
<br/>
<span>And broidered in yellow lace,</span>
<br/>
<span>A picture for an Indian screen</span>
<br/>
<span>As a prince’s gift to some ebony queen</span>
<br/>
<span>In a far-off land like a fairy scene.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="day" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Day</h2>
<p>
<span>Where most surely comes a day</span>
<br/>
<span>When all the sweets you’ve gourged</span>
<br/>
<span>Will turn your stomach sick</span>
<br/>
<span>And all the friends you’ve loved</span>
<br/>
<span>Will go away</span>
<br/>
<span>And every gold swift hour</span>
<br/>
<span>Will be an hour of pain</span>
<br/>
<span>And every sun-filled cloud</span>
<br/>
<span>A cloud of rain</span>
<br/>
<span>And even the withered flowers</span>
<br/>
<span>Will lose their long-held faint perfume</span>
<br/>
<span>And you alone will be with you</span>
<br/>
<span>In that last room⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>Only your single selves together</span>
<br/>
<span>Facing a single doom.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="passing-love" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Passing Love</h2>
<p>
<span>Because you are to me a song</span>
<br/>
<span>I must not sing you overlong.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Because you are to me a prayer</span>
<br/>
<span>I cannot say you everywhere.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Because you are to me a rose</span>
<br/>
<span>You will not stay when summer goes.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="lincoln-monument" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<header>
<h2 epub:type="title">Lincoln Monument</h2>
<p epub:type="bridgehead">(Washington)</p>
</header>
<p>
<span>Let’s go see old Abe</span>
<br/>
<span>Sitting in the marble and the moonlight,</span>
<br/>
<span>Sitting lonely in the marble and the moonlight,</span>
<br/>
<span>Quiet for ten thousand centuries, old Abe.</span>
<br/>
<span>Quiet for a million, million centuries.</span>
<br/>
<span>Quiet⁠—and yet a voice forever</span>
<br/>
<span>Against the timeless walls of time,</span>
<br/>
<span>Old Abe.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="song-for-a-dark-girl" epub:type="z3998:song bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Song for a Dark Girl</h2>
<p>
<span>Way Down South in Dixie</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">(Break the heart of me)</span>
<br/>
<span>They hung my black young lover</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">To a cross roads tree.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Way Down South in Dixie</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">(Bruised body high in air)</span>
<br/>
<span>I asked the white Lord Jesus</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">What was the use of prayer.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Way Down South in Dixie</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">(Break the heart of me)</span>
<br/>
<span>Love is a naked shadow</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">On a gnarled and naked tree.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="gals-cry-for-a-dying-lover" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Gal’s Cry for a Dying Lover</h2>
<p>
<span>Heard de owl a hootin’,</span>
<br/>
<span>Knowed somebody’s ’bout to die.</span>
<br/>
<span>Heard de owl a hootin’,</span>
<br/>
<span>Knowed somebody’s ’bout to die.</span>
<br/>
<span>Put ma head un’neath de kiver,</span>
<br/>
<span>Started in to moan an’ cry.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Hound dawg’s barkin’</span>
<br/>
<span>Means he’s gonna leave this world.</span>
<br/>
<span>Hound dawg’s barkin’</span>
<br/>
<span>Means he’s gonna leave this world.</span>
<br/>
<span>O, Lawd have mercy</span>
<br/>
<span>On a po’ black girl.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Black an’ ugly</span>
<br/>
<span>But he sho do treat me kind.</span>
<br/>
<span>I’m black an’ ugly</span>
<br/>
<span>But he sho do treat me kind.</span>
<br/>
<span>High-in-heaben Jesus,</span>
<br/>
<span>Please don’t take this man o’ mine.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="desire" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Desire</h2>
<p>
<span>Desire to us</span>
<br/>
<span>Was like a double death.</span>
<br/>
<span>Swift dying</span>
<br/>
<span>Of our mingled breath,</span>
<br/>
<span>Evaporation</span>
<br/>
<span>Of an unknown strange perfume</span>
<br/>
<span>Between us quickly</span>
<br/>
<span>In a naked room.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="bulwark" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Bulwark</h2>
<p>
<span>You were the last bulwark of my dreams,</span>
<br/>
<span>And now you, too, have tumbled down into the dust.</span>
<br/>
<span>You, too, are no more than a broken lie.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">Something</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">came between us</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">green and slimy</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">like sickly laughter</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">and a bowl was broken</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">from which</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">we could not drink thereafter</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">and we turned around</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">and threw</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">the shattered bits</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">upon the ground</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">and went our separate ways</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">into the town</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">and a clock</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">somewhere in a tower</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">boomed out slowly</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">hour after hour</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">a great cracked</span>
<br/>
<span class="i3">broken sound.</span>
<br/>
<span>You were the last bulwark of my dreams,</span>
<br/>
<span>And now you, too, have tumbled down.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="wise-men" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Wise Men</h2>
<p>
<span>Let me become dead eyed</span>
<br/>
<span>Like a fish⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>I’m sure then I’d be wise</span>
<br/>
<span>For all the wise men I’ve seen</span>
<br/>
<span>Have had dead eyes.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Let me learn to fit all things</span>
<br/>
<span>Into law and rule:</span>
<br/>
<span>I’d be the proper person then</span>
<br/>
<span>To teach a school.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="poem-for-youth" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Poem for Youth</h2>
<p>
<span>Raindrops</span>
<br/>
<span>On the crumbling walls</span>
<br/>
<span>Of tradition,</span>
<br/>
<span>Sunlight</span>
<br/>
<span>Across mouldy pits</span>
<br/>
<span>Of yesterday.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Oh,</span>
<br/>
<span>Wise old men,</span>
<br/>
<span>What do you say</span>
<br/>
<span>About the fiddles</span>
<br/>
<span>And the jazz</span>
<br/>
<span>And the loud Hey! Hey!</span>
<br/>
<span>About the dancing girls,</span>
<br/>
<span>And the laughing boys,</span>
<br/>
<span>And the brilliant lights,</span>
<br/>
<span>And the blaring joys,</span>
<br/>
<span>The firecracker days</span>
<br/>
<span>And the nights⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>Love-toys?</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Staid old men,</span>
<br/>
<span>What do you say</span>
<br/>
<span>About sun-filled rain</span>
<br/>
<span>Drowning yesterday?</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="the-naughty-child" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">The Naughty Child</h2>
<p>
<span>The naughty child</span>
<br/>
<span>Who ventured to go cut flowers,</span>
<br/>
<span>Fell into the mill-pond</span>
<br/>
<span>And was drowned.</span>
<br/>
<span>But the good children all</span>
<br/>
<span>Are living yet,</span>
<br/>
<span>Nice folks now</span>
<br/>
<span>In a very nice town.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="mona" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Mona</h2>
<p>
<span>She lived in sinful happiness</span>
<br/>
<span>And died in pain,</span>
<br/>
<span>But she danced in sunshine</span>
<br/>
<span>And laughed in rain.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>She went one summer morning</span>
<br/>
<span>When flowers spread the plain</span>
<br/>
<span>But she told my mother</span>
<br/>
<span>She was coming back again.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>The old folks made a coffin</span>
<br/>
<span>And hid her deep in earth.</span>
<br/>
<span>Seems like she said: My body</span>
<br/>
<span>Brings new birth.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>For sure there grew flowers</span>
<br/>
<span>And tall young trees</span>
<br/>
<span>And sturdy weeds and grasses</span>
<br/>
<span>To sway in the breeze.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>And sure she lived in growing things</span>
<br/>
<span>With no pain</span>
<br/>
<span>And laughed in sunshine</span>
<br/>
<span>And danced in rain.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="ma-lord" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Ma Lord</h2>
<p>
<span>Ma Lord ain’t no stuck up man.</span>
<br/>
<span>Ma Lord, he ain’t proud.</span>
<br/>
<span>When he goes a walkin’</span>
<br/>
<span>He gives me his hand.</span>
<br/>
<span>You ma friend, he ’lowed.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Ma Lord knows what it is to work.</span>
<br/>
<span>He knows how to pray.</span>
<br/>
<span>Ma Lord’s life was trouble, too,</span>
<br/>
<span>Trouble ever day.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Ma Lord ain’t no stuck up man.</span>
<br/>
<span>He’s a friend o’ mine.</span>
<br/>
<span>When he went to heaben,</span>
<br/>
<span>His soul like fire,</span>
<br/>
<span>He tole me I was gwine.</span>
<br/>
<span>He said, Sho you’ll come wid me</span>
<br/>
<span>An’ be ma friend through eternity.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="tapestry" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Tapestry</h2>
<p>
<span>Men who ride strange wild horses</span>
<br/>
<span>Down dangerous glens and glades,</span>
<br/>
<span>Men who draw keen sharp swords,</span>
<br/>
<span>Toledo or Damascus blades,</span>
<br/>
<span>Men who swear and laugh and love</span>
<br/>
<span>And live and sing like troubadours⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>Wrinkled old beldams somewhere</span>
<br/>
<span>Are dreaming of old amours.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="nocturne-for-the-drums" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Nocturne for the Drums</h2>
<p>
<span>Gay little devils</span>
<br/>
<span>That hide in gin</span>
<br/>
<span>And tickle black boys</span>
<br/>
<span>Under the chin</span>
<br/>
<span>And make them laugh,</span>
<br/>
<span>Gay little devils</span>
<br/>
<span>That lurk in kisses,</span>
<br/>
<span>And shine in the eyes</span>
<br/>
<span>Of ebony misses,</span>
<br/>
<span>Shine in their eyes:</span>
<br/>
<span>Whee‑e‑e!!</span>
<br/>
<span>O‑o‑o‑o⁠ ⁠… Boom!</span>
<br/>
<span>Jazz band in a cabaret!</span>
<br/>
<span>The quick red hour</span>
<br/>
<span>Before the day.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="success" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Success</h2>
<p>
<span>Here I sit with my belly full</span>
<br/>
<span>And he who might have been my brother</span>
<br/>
<span>Walks hungry in the rain.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Here I sit with my belly full</span>
<br/>
<span>And she I might have loved</span>
<br/>
<span>Seeks someone in the shadows</span>
<br/>
<span>To whom she may sell her body.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Here I sit with my belly full,</span>
<br/>
<span>No longer the rain,</span>
<br/>
<span>No longer the shadows for the</span>
<br/>
<span>Woman I love,</span>
<br/>
<span>No longer hunger.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Success is a great big beefsteak</span>
<br/>
<span>With onions on it,</span>
<br/>
<span>And I eat.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="being-old" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Being Old</h2>
<p>
<span>It’s because you are so young⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>You do not understand.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">But we are old</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">As the jungle trees</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">That bloomed forever,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Old as the forgotten rivers</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">That flowed into the earth.</span>
<br/>
<span>Surely we know what you do not know:</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Joy of living,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Uselessness of things.</span>
<br/>
<span>You are too young to understand yet.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Build another skyscraper</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Touching the stars.</span>
<br/>
<span>We sit with our backs against a tree</span>
<br/>
<span>And watch skyscrapers tumble</span>
<br/>
<span>And stars forget.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">Solomon built a temple</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">And it must have fallen down.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">It isn’t here now.</span>
<br/>
<span>We know some things, being old,</span>
<br/>
<span>You do not understand.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="montmartre-beggar-woman" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Montmartre Beggar Woman</h2>
<p>
<span>Once you were beautiful⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>Now,</span>
<br/>
<span>Hunched in the cold,</span>
<br/>
<span>Nobody cares</span>
<br/>
<span>That you are old.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Once you were lovely⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>Now,</span>
<br/>
<span>In the street,</span>
<br/>
<span>No one remembers</span>
<br/>
<span>Your lips were sweet.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Oh, withered old woman</span>
<br/>
<span>Of rue Fontaine,</span>
<br/>
<span>Nobody but death</span>
<br/>
<span>Will kiss you again.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="i-thought-it-was-tangiers-i-wanted" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">I Thought It Was Tangiers I Wanted</h2>
<p>
<span>I know now</span>
<br/>
<span>That Notre Dame is in Paris.</span>
<br/>
<span>And the Seine is more to me now</span>
<br/>
<span>Than a wriggling line on a map</span>
<br/>
<span>Or a name in travel stories.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I know now</span>
<br/>
<span>There is a Crystal Palace in Antwerp</span>
<br/>
<span>Where a hundred women sell their naked bodies,</span>
<br/>
<span>And the night-lovers of sailors</span>
<br/>
<span>Wait for men on docks in Genoa.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I know now</span>
<br/>
<span>That a great golden moon</span>
<br/>
<span>Like a picture-book moon</span>
<br/>
<span>Really rises behind palm groves</span>
<br/>
<span>In Africa,</span>
<br/>
<span>And tom-toms do beat</span>
<br/>
<span>In village squares under the mango trees.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I know now</span>
<br/>
<span>That Venice is a church dome</span>
<br/>
<span>And a net-work of canals,</span>
<br/>
<span>Tangiers a whiteness under sun.</span>
<br/>
<span>I thought</span>
<br/>
<span>It was Tangiers I wanted,</span>
<br/>
<span>Or the gargoyles of Notre Dame,</span>
<br/>
<span>Or the Crystal Palace in Antwerp,</span>
<br/>
<span>Or the golden palm-grove moon in Africa,</span>
<br/>
<span>Or a church dome and a net-work of canals.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Happiness lies nowhere,</span>
<br/>
<span>Some old fool said,</span>
<br/>
<span>If not within oneself.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>It’s a sure thing</span>
<br/>
<span>Notre Dame is in Paris⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>But I thought it was Tangiers I wanted.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="dreamer" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Dreamer</h2>
<p>
<span>I take my dreams</span>
<br/>
<span>And make of them a bronze vase,</span>
<br/>
<span>And a wide round fountain</span>
<br/>
<span>With a beautiful statue in its center,</span>
<br/>
<span>And a song with a broken heart,</span>
<br/>
<span>And I ask you:</span>
<br/>
<span>Do you understand my dreams?</span>
<br/>
<span>Sometimes you say you do</span>
<br/>
<span>And sometimes you say you don’t.</span>
<br/>
<span>Either way</span>
<br/>
<span>It doesn’t matter.</span>
<br/>
<span>I continue to dream.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="hey" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Hey!</h2>
<p>
<span>Sun’s a settin’,</span>
<br/>
<span>This is what I’m gonna sing.</span>
<br/>
<span>Sun’s a settin’,</span>
<br/>
<span>This is what I’m gonna sing:</span>
<br/>
<span>I feels de blues a comin’,</span>
<br/>
<span>Wonder what de blues’ll bring?</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="hey-hey" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Hey! Hey!</h2>
<p>
<span>Sun’s a risin’,</span>
<br/>
<span>This is gonna be ma song.</span>
<br/>
<span>Sun’s a risin’,</span>
<br/>
<span>This is gonna be ma song.</span>
<br/>
<span>I could be blue but</span>
<br/>
<span>I been blue all night long.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="bad-man" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Bad Man</h2>
<p>
<span>I’m a bad, bad man</span>
<br/>
<span>Cause everbody tells me so.</span>
<br/>
<span>I’m a bad, bad man.</span>
<br/>
<span>Everbody tells me so.</span>
<br/>
<span>I takes ma meanness and ma licker</span>
<br/>
<span>Everwhere I go.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I beats ma wife an’</span>
<br/>
<span>I beats ma side gal too.</span>
<br/>
<span>Beats ma wife an’</span>
<br/>
<span>Beats ma side gal too.</span>
<br/>
<span>Don’t know why I do it but</span>
<br/>
<span>It keeps me from feelin’ blue.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I’m so bad I</span>
<br/>
<span>Don’t even want to be good.</span>
<br/>
<span>So bad, bad, bad I</span>
<br/>
<span>Don’t even want to be good.</span>
<br/>
<span>I’m goin’ to de devil an’</span>
<br/>
<span>I wouldn’t go to heaben if I could.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="closing-time" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Closing Time</h2>
<p>
<span>Starter!</span>
</p>
<p>
<span class="i1">Her face is pale</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">In the doorway light.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Her lips blood red</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">And her skin blue white.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Taxi!</span>
</p>
<p>
<span class="i1">I’m tired.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Deep⁠ ⁠… River.⁠ ⁠…</span>
</p>
<p>
<span class="i1">O, God, please!</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>The river and the moon hold memories.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span class="i1">Cornets play.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Dancers whirl.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Death, be kind</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>What was the cover charge, kid?</span>
</p>
<p>
<span class="i1">To a little drowned girl.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="prize-fighter" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Prize Fighter</h2>
<p>
<span>Only dumb guys fight.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">If I wasn’t dumb</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">I wouldn’t be fightin’.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">I could make six dollars a day</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">On the docks</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">And I’d save more than I do now.</span>
<br/>
<span>Only dumb guys fight.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="crap-game" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Crap Game</h2>
<p>
<span>Lemme roll ’em, boy.</span>
<br/>
<span>I got ma tail curled!</span>
<br/>
<span>If a seven don’t come</span>
<br/>
<span>’Leven ain’t far away.</span>
<br/>
<span>An’ if I craps,</span>
<br/>
<span>Dark baby,</span>
<br/>
<span>Trouble</span>
<br/>
<span>Don’t last all de time.</span>
<br/>
<span>Hit ’em, bones!</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="ballad-of-gin-mary" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Ballad of Gin Mary</h2>
<p>
<span>Carried me to de court,</span>
<br/>
<span>Judge was settin’ there.</span>
<br/>
<span>Looked all around me,</span>
<br/>
<span>Didn’t have a friend nowhere.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Judge Pierce he says, Mary.</span>
<br/>
<span>Old Judge says, Mary Jane,</span>
<br/>
<span>Ever time I mounts this bench</span>
<br/>
<span>I sees yo’ face again.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>O, Lawd! O, Lawd!</span>
<br/>
<span>O, Lawd⁠ ⁠… Lawdee!</span>
<br/>
<span>Seems like bad licker,</span>
<br/>
<span>Judge, won’t let me be.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Old Judge says you’s a drunkard.</span>
<br/>
<span>Fact is you worries me.</span>
<br/>
<span>Gwine give you eighteen months</span>
<br/>
<span>So licker’ll let you be.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Eighteen months in jail!</span>
<br/>
<span>O, eighteen months locked in!</span>
<br/>
<span>Won’t be so bad in jail.</span>
<br/>
<span>But I’ll miss ma gin.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>O, please sir, Judge, have mercy!</span>
<br/>
<span>Have mercy, please, on me!</span>
<br/>
<span>Old hard-faced Judge says eighteen months</span>
<br/>
<span>Till licker’ll let you be.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="death-of-do-dirty" epub:type="z3998:song bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<hgroup>
<h2 epub:type="title">Death of Do Dirty</h2>
<p epub:type="subtitle">A Rounder’s Song</p>
</hgroup>
<p>
<span>O, you can’t find a buddy</span>
<br/>
<span>Any old time</span>
<br/>
<span>’Ll help you out</span>
<br/>
<span>When you ain’t got a dime.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>He was a friend o’ mine.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>They called him Do Dirty</span>
<br/>
<span>Cause he was black</span>
<br/>
<span>An’ had cut his gal</span>
<br/>
<span>An’ shot a man in de back.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Ma friend o’ mine.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>But when I was hungry,</span>
<br/>
<span>Had nothin’ to eat,</span>
<br/>
<span>He bought me corn bread</span>
<br/>
<span>An’ a stew o’ meat.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Good friend o’ mine.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>An’ when de cops got me</span>
<br/>
<span>An’ put me in jail</span>
<br/>
<span>If Dirty had de money,</span>
<br/>
<span>He’d go ma bail.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>O, friend o’ mine.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>That night he got kilt</span>
<br/>
<span>I was standin’ in de street.</span>
<br/>
<span>Somebody comes by</span>
<br/>
<span>An’ says yo’ boy is gettin’ beat.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Ma friend o’ mine.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>But when I got there</span>
<br/>
<span>An’ seen de ambulance</span>
<br/>
<span>A guy was sayin’</span>
<br/>
<span>He ain’t got a chance.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Best friend o’ mine.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>An’ de ones that kilt him⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>Damn their souls⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>I’m gonna fill ’em up full o’</span>
<br/>
<span>Bullet holes.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Ma friend o’ mine.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="porter" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Porter</h2>
<p>
<span>I must say</span>
<br/>
<span>Yes, sir,</span>
<br/>
<span>To you all the time.</span>
<br/>
<span>Yes, sir!</span>
<br/>
<span>Yes, sir!</span>
<br/>
<span>All my days</span>
<br/>
<span>Climbing up a great big mountain</span>
<br/>
<span>Of yes, sirs!</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Rich old white man</span>
<br/>
<span>Owns the world.</span>
<br/>
<span>Gimme yo’ shoes</span>
<br/>
<span>To shine.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Yes, sir!</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="sport" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Sport</h2>
<p>
<span>Life</span>
<br/>
<span>For him</span>
<br/>
<span>Must be</span>
<br/>
<span>The shivering of</span>
<br/>
<span>A great drum</span>
<br/>
<span>Beaten with swift sticks</span>
<br/>
<span>Then at the closing hour</span>
<br/>
<span>The lights go out</span>
<br/>
<span>And there is no music at all</span>
<br/>
<span>And death becomes</span>
<br/>
<span>An empty cabaret</span>
<br/>
<span>And eternity an unblown saxophone</span>
<br/>
<span>And yesterday</span>
<br/>
<span>A glass of gin</span>
<br/>
<span>Drunk long</span>
<br/>
<span>Ago.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="shout" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Shout</h2>
<p>
<span>Listen to yo’ prophets,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Little Jesus!</span>
<br/>
<span>Listen to yo’ saints!</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="fire" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Fire</h2>
<p>
<span>Fire,</span>
<br/>
<span>Fire, Lord!</span>
<br/>
<span>Fire gonna burn ma soul!</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I ain’t been good,</span>
<br/>
<span>I ain’t been clean⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>I been stinkin’, low-down, mean.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Fire,</span>
<br/>
<span>Fire, Lord!</span>
<br/>
<span>Fire gonna burn ma soul!</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Tell me, brother,</span>
<br/>
<span>Do you believe</span>
<br/>
<span>If you wanta go to heaben</span>
<br/>
<span>Got to moan an’ grieve?</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Fire,</span>
<br/>
<span>Fire, Lord!</span>
<br/>
<span>Fire gonna burn ma soul!</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I been stealin’,</span>
<br/>
<span>Been tellin’ lies,</span>
<br/>
<span>Had more women</span>
<br/>
<span>Than Pharaoh had wives.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Fire,</span>
<br/>
<span>Fire, Lord!</span>
<br/>
<span>Fire gonna burn ma soul!</span>
<br/>
<span>I means Fire, Lord!</span>
<br/>
<span>Fire gonna burn ma soul!</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="moan" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Moan</h2>
<p>
<span>I’m deep in trouble,</span>
<br/>
<span>Nobody to understand,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Lord, Lord!</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Deep in trouble,</span>
<br/>
<span>Nobody to understand,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">O, Lord!</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Gonna pray to ma Jesus,</span>
<br/>
<span>Ask him to gimme His hand.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Ma Lord!</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I’m moanin’, moanin’,</span>
<br/>
<span>Nobody cares just why.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">No, Lord!</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Moanin’, moanin’,</span>
<br/>
<span>Feels like I could die.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">O, Lord!</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Sho, there must be peace,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Ma Jesus,</span>
<br/>
<span>Somewhere in yo’ sky.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Yes, Lord!</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="angels-wings" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Angels Wings</h2>
<p>
<span>De angels wings is white as snow,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">O, white as snow,</span>
<br/>
<span class="dl3 i2">
<span>White</span>
<span>as</span>
<span>snow.</span>
</span>
<br/>
<span>De angels wings is white as snow,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">But I drug ma wings</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">In de dirty mire.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">O, I drug ma wings</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">All through de fire.</span>
<br/>
<span>But de angels wings is white as snow,</span>
<br/>
<span class="dl3 i2">
<span>White</span>
<span>as</span>
<span>snow.</span>
</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="sinner" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Sinner</h2>
<p>
<span>Have mercy, Lord!</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Po’ an’ black</span>
<br/>
<span>An’ humble an’ lonesome</span>
<br/>
<span>An’ a sinner in yo’ sight.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Have mercy, Lord!</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="cora" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Cora</h2>
<p>
<span>I broke ma heart this mornin’.</span>
<br/>
<span>Ain’t got no heart no mo’.</span>
<br/>
<span>Next time a man comes near me</span>
<br/>
<span>Gonna shut an’ lock ma door</span>
<br/>
<span>Cause they treats me mean⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>The ones I loves.</span>
<br/>
<span>They always treats me mean.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="workin-man" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Workin’ Man</h2>
<p>
<span>I works all day</span>
<br/>
<span>Wid a pick an’ a shovel.</span>
<br/>
<span>Comes home at night⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>It ain’t nothin’ but a hovel.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I calls for ma woman</span>
<br/>
<span>When I opens de door.</span>
<br/>
<span>She’s out in de street⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>Ain’t nothin’ but a ’hore,</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I does her good</span>
<br/>
<span>An’ I treats her fine,</span>
<br/>
<span>But she don’t gimme lovin’</span>
<br/>
<span>Cause she ain’t de right kind.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I’m a hard workin’ man</span>
<br/>
<span>An’ I sho pays double</span>
<br/>
<span>Cause I tries to be good</span>
<br/>
<span>An’ gits nothin’ but trouble.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="baby" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Baby</h2>
<p>
<span>Albert!</span>
<br/>
<span>Hey, Albert!</span>
<br/>
<span>Don’t you play in dat road.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">You see dem trucks</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">A goin’ by.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">One run ovah you</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">An’ you die.</span>
<br/>
<span>Albert, don’t you play in dat road.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="evil-woman" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Evil Woman</h2>
<p>
<span>I ain’t gonna mistreat ma</span>
<br/>
<span>Good gal any more.</span>
<br/>
<span>I’m just gonna kill her</span>
<br/>
<span>Next time she makes me sore.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I treats her kind but</span>
<br/>
<span>She don’t do me right.</span>
<br/>
<span>She fights an’ quarrels most</span>
<br/>
<span>Ever night.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I can’t have no woman’s</span>
<br/>
<span>Got such low-down ways,</span>
<br/>
<span>Cause a blue-gummed woman</span>
<br/>
<span>Ain’t de style now days.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I brought her from de South</span>
<br/>
<span>An’ she’s goin’ on back</span>
<br/>
<span>Else I’ll use her head</span>
<br/>
<span>For a carpet tack.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="a-ruined-gal" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">A Ruined Gal</h2>
<p>
<span>Standin’ by de lonesome riverside</span>
<br/>
<span>After de boat’s done gone,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Po’ weary me</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Won’t be nobody’s bride</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Cause I is long gone wrong.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Standin’ by de weary riverside</span>
<br/>
<span>When de boat comes in,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Po’ lonesome me</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Won’t meet nobody</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Cause I ain’t got no friend.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>By de edge o’ de weary riverside</span>
<br/>
<span>Night-time’s comin’ down.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Ain’t nothin’ for a ruined gal</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">But jump overboard an’ drown.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>O, de lonesome riverside,</span>
<br/>
<span>O, de wicked water.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">Damn ma black old mammy’s soul</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">For ever havin’ a daughter.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="sun-song" epub:type="z3998:song bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Sun Song</h2>
<p>
<span>Sun and softness,</span>
<br/>
<span>Sun and the beaten hardness of the earth,</span>
<br/>
<span>Sun and the song of all the sun-stars</span>
<br/>
<span>Gathered together⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>Dark ones of Africa,</span>
<br/>
<span>I bring you my songs</span>
<br/>
<span>To sing on the Georgia roads.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="magnolia-flowers" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Magnolia Flowers</h2>
<p>
<span>The quiet fading out of life</span>
<br/>
<span>In a corner full of ugliness.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I went lookin’ for magnolia flowers</span>
<br/>
<span>But I didn’t find ’em.</span>
<br/>
<span>I went lookin’ for magnolia flowers in the dusk</span>
<br/>
<span>And there was only this corner</span>
<br/>
<span>Full of ugliness.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span class="i1">’Scuse me,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">I didn’t mean to stump ma toe on you, lady,</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>There ought to be magaolias</span>
<br/>
<span>Somewhere in this dusk.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span class="i1">’Scuse me,</span>
<br/>
<span class="i1">I didn’t mean to stump ma toe on you.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="red-silk-stockings" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Red Silk Stockings</h2>
<p>
<span>Put on yo’ red silk stockings,</span>
<br/>
<span>Black gal.</span>
<br/>
<span>Go out an’ let de white boys</span>
<br/>
<span>Look at yo’ legs.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Ain’t nothin’ to do for you, nohow,</span>
<br/>
<span>Round this town⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>You’s too pretty.</span>
<br/>
<span>Put on yo’ red silk stockings, gal,</span>
<br/>
<span>An’ tomorrow’s chile’ll</span>
<br/>
<span>Be a high yaller.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Go out an’ let de white boys</span>
<br/>
<span>Look at yo’ legs.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="young-gals-blues" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Young Gal’s Blues</h2>
<p>
<span>I’m gonna walk to de graveyard</span>
<br/>
<span>’Hind ma friend Miss Cora Lee.</span>
<br/>
<span>Gonna walk to de graveyard</span>
<br/>
<span>’Hind ma dear friend Cora Lee</span>
<br/>
<span>Cause when I’m dead some</span>
<br/>
<span>Body’ll have to walk behind me.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I’m goin’ to de po’ house</span>
<br/>
<span>To see ma old Aunt Clew.</span>
<br/>
<span>Goin’ to de po’ house</span>
<br/>
<span>To see ma old Aunt Clew.</span>
<br/>
<span>When I’m old an’ ugly</span>
<br/>
<span>I’ll want to see somebody, too.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>De po’ house is lonely</span>
<br/>
<span>An’ de grave is cold.</span>
<br/>
<span>O, de po’ house is lonely,</span>
<br/>
<span>De graveyard grave is cold.</span>
<br/>
<span>But I’d rather be dead than</span>
<br/>
<span>To be ugly an’ old.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>When love is gone what</span>
<br/>
<span>Can a young gal do?</span>
<br/>
<span>When love is gone, O,</span>
<br/>
<span>What can a young gal do?</span>
<br/>
<span>Keep on a-lovin’ me, daddy,</span>
<br/>
<span>Cause I don’t want to be blue.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="hard-daddy" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Hard Daddy</h2>
<p>
<span>I went to ma daddy,</span>
<br/>
<span>Says Daddy I have got de blues.</span>
<br/>
<span>Went to ma daddy,</span>
<br/>
<span>Says Daddy I have got de blues.</span>
<br/>
<span>Ma daddy says Honey</span>
<br/>
<span>Can’t you bring no better news?</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I cried on his shoulder but</span>
<br/>
<span>He turned his back on me.</span>
<br/>
<span>Cried on his shoulder but</span>
<br/>
<span>He turned his back on me.</span>
<br/>
<span>He said a woman’s cryin’s</span>
<br/>
<span>Never gonna bother me.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I wish I had wings to</span>
<br/>
<span>Fly like de eagle flies.</span>
<br/>
<span>Wish I had wings to</span>
<br/>
<span>Fly like de eagle flies.</span>
<br/>
<span>I’d fly on ma man an’</span>
<br/>
<span>I’d scratch out both his eyes.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="sunset-coney-island" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Sunset⁠—Coney Island</h2>
<p>
<span>The sun,</span>
<br/>
<span>Like the red yolk of a rotten egg,</span>
<br/>
<span>Falls behind the roller-coaster</span>
<br/>
<span>And the horizon sticks</span>
<br/>
<span>With a putrid odor of colors.</span>
<br/>
<span>Down on the beach</span>
<br/>
<span>A little Jewish tailor from the Bronx,</span>
<br/>
<span>With a bad stomach,</span>
<br/>
<span>Throws up the hot-dog sandwiches</span>
<br/>
<span>He ate in the afternoon</span>
<br/>
<span>While life</span>
<br/>
<span>To him</span>
<br/>
<span>Is like a sick tomato</span>
<br/>
<span>In a garbage can.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="nonette" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Nonette</h2>
<p>
<span>You wound my soul with a thousand spears,</span>
<br/>
<span>You bathe my wounds in a flood of tears,</span>
<br/>
<span>Nonette.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>You give me a rose whose breath is sweet,</span>
<br/>
<span>Whose petals are poison and death to eat,</span>
<br/>
<span>Nonette.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>And when I am dead you do not cry,</span>
<br/>
<span>But your heart breaks, too, and you, too, die.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="lovers-return" epub:type="z3998:song bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<header>
<h2 epub:type="title">Lover’s Return</h2>
<p epub:type="bridgehead">(Song for a Deserted Woman)</p>
</header>
<p>
<span>Ma old time daddy</span>
<br/>
<span>Came back home last night.</span>
<br/>
<span>His face was pale an’</span>
<br/>
<span>His eyes didn’t look just right.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>He says to me I’m</span>
<br/>
<span>Comin’ home to you</span>
<br/>
<span>So sick an’ lonsome</span>
<br/>
<span>I don’t know what to do.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>O, men treats women</span>
<br/>
<span>Just like a pair o’ shoes.</span>
<br/>
<span>I say treats women</span>
<br/>
<span>Like a pair o’ shoes⁠—,</span>
<br/>
<span>They kicks ’em round an’</span>
<br/>
<span>Does ’em like they choose.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I looked at ma daddy⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>Lawd! an’ I wanted to cry.</span>
<br/>
<span>He looked so thin.⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>Lawd! that I wanted to cry.</span>
<br/>
<span>But de devil told me</span>
<br/>
<span>Damn a lover</span>
<br/>
<span>Comes home to die!</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="mazie-dies-alone-in-the-city-hospital" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Mazie Dies Alone in the City Hospital</h2>
<p>
<span>I hate to die this way with the quiet</span>
<br/>
<span>Over everything like a shroud.</span>
<br/>
<span>I’d rather die where the band’s a playin’</span>
<br/>
<span>Noisy and loud.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>I’d rather die the way I lived⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>Drunk and rowdy and gay;</span>
<br/>
<span>God! Why did you ever curse me</span>
<br/>
<span>Makin’ me die this way?</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="hurt" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Hurt</h2>
<p>
<span>Who cares</span>
<br/>
<span>About the hurt in your heart?</span>
</p>
<p>
<span class="i2">Make a song like this</span>
<br/>
<span class="i2">for a jazz band to play:</span>
</p>
<p>
<span class="i4">Nobody cares.</span>
<br/>
<span class="i4">Nobody cares.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span>Make a song like that</span>
<br/>
<span>From your lips.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span class="i4">Nobody cares.</span>
</p>
</article>
<article id="lady-in-cabaret" epub:type="z3998:poem bodymatter z3998:fiction">
<h2 epub:type="title">Lady in Cabaret</h2>
<p>
<span>She knows</span>
<br/>
<span>The end of the evening will come⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>It has come before.</span>
<br/>
<span>And if it should never come again,</span>
<br/>
<span>Well⁠—</span>
<br/>
<span>Just that much more</span>
<br/>
<span>A bore.</span>
</p>
</article>
<section id="colophon" epub:type="colophon backmatter">
<header>
<h2 epub:type="title">Colophon</h2>
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epub:type="z3998:publisher-logo se:image.color-depth.black-on-transparent"/>
</header>
<p><i epub:type="se:name.publication.book">Poetry</i><br/>
was compiled from poems published between <time>1921</time> and <time>1928</time> by<br/>
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Langston_Hughes">Langston Hughes</a>.</p>
<p>This ebook was produced for<br/>
<a href="https://standardebooks.org/">Standard Ebooks</a><br/>
by<br/>
<a href="https://weijiarhymeswith.asia/">Weijia Cheng</a>,<br/>
and is based on transcriptions from<br/>
<a href="https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/langston-hughes/poetry#transcriptions">various sources</a><br/>
and on digital scans from<br/>
<a href="https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/langston-hughes/poetry#page-scans">various sources</a>.</p>
<p>The cover page is adapted from<br/>
<i epub:type="se:name.visual-art.painting">The Prodigal Son</i>,<br/>
a painting completed circa <time>1926</time> by<br/>
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaron_Douglas_(artist)">Aaron Douglas</a>.<br/>
The cover and title pages feature the<br/>
<b epub:type="se:name.visual-art.typeface">League Spartan</b> and <b epub:type="se:name.visual-art.typeface">Sorts Mill Goudy</b><br/>
typefaces created in <time>2014</time> and <time>2009</time> by<br/>
<a href="https://www.theleagueofmoveabletype.com/">The League of Moveable Type</a>.</p>
<p>The first edition of this ebook was released on<br/>
<time datetime="2024-01-11T22:18:02Z">January 11, 2024, 10:18 <abbr class="eoc">p.m.</abbr></time><br/>
You can check for updates to this ebook, view its revision history, or download it for different ereading systems at<br/>
<a href="https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/langston-hughes/poetry">standardebooks.org/ebooks/langston-hughes/poetry</a>.</p>
<p>The volunteer-driven Standard Ebooks project relies on readers like you to submit typos, corrections, and other improvements. Anyone can contribute at <a href="https://standardebooks.org/">standardebooks.org</a>.</p>
</section>
<section id="uncopyright" epub:type="copyright-page backmatter">
<h2 epub:type="title">Uncopyright</h2>
<blockquote epub:type="z3998:verse">
<p>
<span>May you do good and not evil.</span>
<br/>
<span>May you find forgiveness for yourself and forgive others.</span>
<br/>
<span>May you share freely, never taking more than you give.</span>
</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Copyright pages exist to tell you that you <em>can’t</em> do something. Unlike them, this Uncopyright page exists to tell you that the writing and artwork in this ebook are believed to be in the United States public domain; that is, they are believed to be free of copyright restrictions in the United States. The United States public domain represents our collective cultural heritage, and items in it are free for anyone in the United States to do almost anything at all with, without having to get permission.</p>
<p>Copyright laws are different all over the world, and the source text or artwork in this ebook may still be copyrighted in other countries. If you’re not located in the United States, you must check your local laws before using this ebook. Standard Ebooks makes no representations regarding the copyright status of the source text or artwork in this ebook in any country other than the United States.</p>
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