11.12.14

I got to buy some new chapbooks recently, and even better, since we sold some old material (to Half Price books) I used my credit and it was like getting free books! One of the texts I picked up was The Panther and the Lash by Langston Hughes. It was interesting to explain to my husband who he was and why he was important. I thought that, since he's such a big name, everyone would have a little exposure in a high school English class, or an American History course. Perhaps not.

Despite having some high-profile titles inside (Dream Deferred, Motto, etc), there was a lot of material I was not familiar with. Of course his voices comes blazing through, and despite being culturally militant, his voice is accessible and does not turn the reader away (rather, encourages them to lean in).

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.


Lenox Avenue Bar

Weaving
between assorted terrors
is the Jew
who owns the place--
one Jew,
fifty Negroes:
embroideries
(heirloomed
from ancient evenings)
tattered
in this neon
place.


Down Where I am

Too many years
Beatin' at the door--
I done beat my
Both fists sore.

Too many years
Tryin' to get up there--
Done broke both my ankles down,
Got nowhere.

Too many years
Climbin' that hill,
'Bout out of breath.
I got my fill.

I'm gonna plant my feet
On solid ground.
If you want to see me
Come down.

I hope you liked this selection, it was part ones I had liked and part random skimming. I hope to get some more new books to share soon, since I have more gear to sell back to the bookstore.