Before I truly realized my writing aspirations, I took an African American literature class at UC, Santa Barbara to fulfill a history/literature requirement. Now, I have been a long time lover of hip-hop, but little did I know that I was about to discover one of the most skilled lyricists to ever put pen to the page--and now one of my favorite poets--was hiding in the history books...
Jukebox Love Song
by Langston Hughes
I could take the Harlem night
and 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.
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