An African-American cultural movement of the 1920s and 1930s

Poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist. He was one of the earliest innovators of the then-new literary art form called jazz poetry.

I could take the Harlem nightand wrap around you,

Take the neon lights and make a crown,Take the Lenox Avenue busses,

Taxis, subways,And for your love song tone their rumble down.

Take Harlem's heartbeat,Make a drumbeat,

Put it on a record, let it whirl,And while we listen to it play,

Dance with you till day--Dance with you, my sweet brown Harlem girl.

The rent man knocked. He said, Howdy-do?

I said, WhatCan I do for you? He said, You knowYour rent is due.

I said, Listen, Before I'd pay

I'd go to Hades And rot away!

The sink is broke, The water don't run,

And you ain't done a thingYou promised to've done.

Back window's cracked, Kitchen floor squeaks,

There's rats in the cellar, And the attic leaks.

He said, Madam, It's not up to me. I'm just the agent,

Don't you see?

I said, Naturally, You pass the buck.

If it's money you wantYou're out of luck.

He said, Madam, I ain't pleased!

I said, Neither am I. So we agrees!