If you want to honor me, give some young boy or girl who's coming along trying to create arts and write and compose and sing and act and paint and dance and make something out of the beauties of the Negro race-give that child some help.

I don't dare start thinking in the morning. I don't dare start thinking in the morning. If I thought thoughts in bed, Them thoughts would bust my head-- So I don't dare start thinking in the morning.

Folks, I'm telling you, birthing is hard and dying is mean- so get yourself a little loving in between.

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

Go home and write / a page tonight. / And let that page come out of you - / Then, it will be true.

Like a welcome summer rain, humor may suddenly cleanse and cool the earth, the air and you.

I went down to the river, I set down on the bank. I tried to think but couldn't, So I jumped in and sank.