Theme for English B

The instructor said,       Go home and write       A page tonight       And let that page come out of you--       Then, it will be true. I wonder if it's that simple? I am twenty-two, colored, born in Winston-Salem. I went to school there, then Durham, then here To this college on the hill above Harlem. I am the only colored student in my class. The steps from the hill lead down into Harlem Through a park, then I cross St. Nicholas, Eighth Avenue, Seventh, and I come to the Y, The Harlem Branch Y, where I take the elevator Up to my room, sit down, and write this page: It's not easy to know what is true for you or me At twenty-two, my age. But I guess I'm what I feel and see and hear, Harlem, I hear you: Hear you, hear me--we two--you, me, talk on this page. (I hear New York, too.) Me--who? Well, I like to eat, sleep, drink, and be in love. I like to work, read, learn, and understand life. I like a pipe for a Christmas present, Or records--Bessie, bop, or Bach. I guess being colored doesn't make me NOT like The same things other folks like who are other races So will my page be colored that I write? Being me, it will not be white. But it will be A part of you, instructor. You are white-- Yet a part of me, as I am a part of you. That's American. Sometimes perhaps you don't want to be a part of me. Nor do I often want to be a part of you But we are, that's true! As I learn from you, I guess you learn from me-- Although you're older--and white-- And somewhat more free. This is my page for English B.