April 7 - National Poetry Month - Langston Hughes

I, Too, Sing America

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.

Langston Hughes -- born February 1, 1902, in Joplin, Missouri -- is usually considered the dean of African American poets.


A list of links to his poems
Brief Bio, links, readings