NARRATOR
The Harlem Renaissance is the name given to the burst of literary and artistic activity that took place in the 1920s and early 1930s. One of the poets of the Renaissance, Countee Cullen, wrote: “Yet do I marvel at this curious thing./To make a poet black and bid him sing.”
Margaret Walker, James Weldon Johnson, Anne Spencer, and the extraordinary Zora Neale Hurston were part of that movement. One of its stars was Langston Hughes, whose social consciousness permeated his poetry. Here is his poem called “Ballad of the Landlord.”
LANGSTON HUGHES
Landlord, landlord,
My roof has sprung a leak
Don’t you ’member I told you about it
Way last week?
Landlord, landlord,
These steps is broken down.
When you come up yourself
It’s a wonder you don’t fall down.
Ten bucks you say I owe you?
Ten bucks you say is due?
Well, that’s Ten Bucks more’n I’ll pay you
Till you fix this house up new.
What? You gonna get eviction orders?
You gonna cut off my heat?
You gonna take my furniture an’
Throw it in the street?
Um-huh! You talking high and mighty.
Talk on—till you get through.
You isn’t gonna be able to say a word
If I lay my fist on you.
Police! Police!
Come and get this man!
He’s trying to ruin the government
And overturn the land!
Copper’s whistle!
Patrol bell!
Arrest.
Precinct Station
Iron cell.
Headlines in press:
MAN THREATENS LANDLORD.
TENANT HELD. NO BAIL.
JUDGE GIVES NEGRO 90 DAYS IN COUNTY JAIL.