Poems List
Explore poems from our collection
Sylvester’s Dying Bed
Sylvester’s Dying Bed
I woke up this mornin’
’Bout half-past three.
All the womens in town
Was gathered round me.
Sweet gals was …
The Blues
The Blues
When the shoe strings break
On both your shoes
And you're in a hurryThat's
the blues.
When you go to buy a candy bar
An…
Still Here
Still Here
been scared and battered.
My hopes the wind done scattered.
Snow has friz me,
Sun has baked me,
Looks like between 'em…
Snake
Snake
He glides so swiftly
Back into the grass-
Gives me the courtesy of road
To let me pass,
That I am half ashamed
To seek a sto…
Quiet Girl
Quiet Girl
I would liken you
To a night without stars
Were it not for your eyes.
I would liken you
To a sleep without dreams
Were it no…
Sick Room
Sick Room
How quiet
It is in this sick room
Where on the bed
A silent woman lies between two lovers-
Life and Death,
And all three cover…
Problems
Problems
2 and 2 are 4.
4 and 4 are 8.
But what would happen
If the last 4 was late?
And how would it be
If one 2 was…
Po' Boy Blues
Po' Boy Blues
When I was home de
Sunshine seemed like gold.
When I was home de
Sunshine seemed like gold.
Since I come up North de
Whol…
Personal
Personal
In an envelope marked:
PERSONAL
God addressed me a letter.
In an envelope marked:
PERSONAL
I have given my answer.
Oppression
Oppression
Now dreams
Are not available
To the dreamers,
Nor songs
To the singers.
In some lands
Dark night
And…
My People
My People
The night is beautiful,
So the faces of my people.
The stars are beautiful,
So the eyes of my people.
Beaut…
Negro Speaks of Rivers
Negro Speaks of Rivers
I've known rivers:
I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the
flow of human blood in human veins
My sou…
Minstrel Man
Minstrel Man
Because my mouth
Is wide with laughter
And my throat
Is deep with song,
You do not think
I suffer after
I have held …
Mother to Son
Mother to Son
Well, son, I'll tell you:
Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.
It's had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
Madam and The Rent Man
Madam and The Rent Man
The rent man knocked.
He said, Howdy-do?
I said, What
Can I do for you?
He said, You know
Your rent is due.
Me And The Mule
Me And The Mule
My old mule,
He's gota grin on his face.
He's been a mule so long
He's forgotten about his race.
I'm like that ol…
Love Song for Lucinda
Love Song for Lucinda
Love
Is a ripe plum
Growing on a purple tree.
Taste it once
And the spell of its enchantment
Will never let you b…
Madam and the Census Man
Madam and the Census Man
The census man,
The day he came round,
Wanted my name
To put it down.
I said, Johnson,
Alberta K. …
Let America be America Again
Let America be America Again
Let America be America again.
Let it be the dream it used to be.
Let it be the pioneer on the plain
Seeking a home whe…
Lincoln Monument: Washington
Lincoln Monument: Washington
Let's go see Old Abe
Sitting in the marble and the moonlight,
Sitting lonely in the marble and the moonlight,
Quiet fo…
In Time Of Silver Rain
In Time Of Silver Rain
In time of silver rain
The earth puts forth new life again,
Green grasses grow
And flowers lift their heads,
And over …
Juke Box Love Song
Juke Box Love Song
I could take the Harlem night
and wrap around you,
Take the neon lights and make a crown,
Take the Lenox Avenue busses,
Ta…
Helen Keller
Helen Keller
She,
In the dark,
Found light
Brighter than many ever see.
She,
Within herself,
Found loveliness,
Through the …
I Dream A World
I Dream A World
I dream a world where man
No other man will scorn,
Where love will bless the earth
And peace its paths adorn
I dream a world …