Let the rain kiss you Let the rain beat upon your head with silver
liquid drops Let the rain sing you a lullaby The rain makes still pools on the sidewalk The rain makes running pools
in the gutter The rain plays a little sleep song on our roof at night And I love the rain
Children's Rhymes
By what sends the white kids I ain't sent: I know I can't be President. What
don't bug them white kids sure bugs me: We know everybody ain't free.
Lies written down for white folks ain't
for us a-tall: Liberty And Justice-- Huh!--For All?
Democracy
Democracy will not come Today, this year Nor ever Through compromise and fear.
I
have as much right As the other fellow has To stand On my two feet And own the land.
I tire so of hearing
people say, Let things take their course. Tomorrow is another day. I do not need my freedom when I'm dead. I
cannot live on tomorrow's bread.
Freedom Is a strong seed Planted In a great need.
I live here, too. I
want freedom Just as you.
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 rivers My soul has grown deep like
the rivers.
I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep. I
looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it. 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
I've known rivers: Ancient,
dusky rivers.
My soul has grown deep like the rivers.
Dinner Guest: Me
I know I am The Negro Problem Being wined and dined, Answering the usual questions That
come to white mind Which seeks demurely To Probe in polite way The why and wherewithal Of darkness U.S.A.-- Wondering
how things got this way In current democratic night, Murmuring gently Over fraises du bois, "I'm so ashamed of
being white."
The lobster is delicious, The wine divine, And center of attention At the damask table, mine. To
be a Problem on Park Avenue at eight Is not so bad. Solutions to the Problem, Of course, wait.