June 23, 2008

Manic Monday: Night


Morgen established 'Night' as the theme for Manic Monday this week. I decided to go back to my Manic Monday roots and find an afrocentric twist to the weekly word. In this case, I simply looked to one of America's best poets ... Langston Hughes. He wrote a poem called, Night Funeral in Harlem. I hope you enjoy the flow...


Night funeral
In Harlem:

Where did they get
Them two fine cars?

Insurance man, he did not pay--
His insurance lapsed the other day--
Yet they got a satin box
for his head to lay.

Night funeral
In Harlem:

Who was it sent
That wreath of flowers?

Them flowers came
from that poor boy's friends--
They'll want flowers, too,
When they meet their ends.

Night funeral
in Harlem:

Who preached that
Black boy to his grave?

Old preacher man
Preached that boy away--
Charged Five Dollars
His girl friend had to pay.

Night funeral
In Harlem:

When it was all over
And the lid shut on his head
and the organ had done played
and the last prayers been said
and six pallbearers
Carried him out for dead
And off down Lenox Avenue
That long black hearse done sped,
The street light
At his corner
Shined just like a tear--
That boy that they was mournin'
Was so dear, so dear
To them folks that brought the flowers,
To that girl who paid the preacher man--
It was all their tears that made
That poor boy's
Funeral grand.

Night funeral
In Harlem.

11 comments:

Durward Discussion said...

Beautiful choice. Langston Hughes is one of my favorite poets and a true genius of immense power.

None said...

Nice poem. Thanks for sharing. I have to go back to some reading.

anthonynorth said...

That was a great poem. I've never heard of him before, but I'm from the UK, which is maybe why.

Unknown said...

We just got back from Ocean city, no really good night shots!

Come check out the night of my blog!

Barb said...

How incredibly sad. Reminds me of In the Ghetto, written by Mac Davis and recorded by Elvis.

Marvalus said...

Great poem! Such a great choice for your subject...Langston Hughes was a master at words...

frizzyeatworld said...

Sad and beautiful at the same time...

Janna said...

How interesting.
I've heard of Langston Hughes but never really learned about any of his work. This is the first time I've ever read "Night Funeral In Harlem".
I can almost hear a voice quietly reciting it.

Travis Cody said...

Thanks for sharing that today.

Shelia said...

Wonderful selection.

Love Manic Monday, I've just been too busy to participate.

Mo said...

this (along with impasse) is my favorite poem by l.hughes. great choice