Langston Hughes
Madam and the Wrong Visitor
A man knocked three times
I never seen him before
He said, Are you Madam?
I said, What’s the score?
He said, I reckon
You don’t know my name
But I’ve come to call
On you just the same
I stepped back
Like he had a charm
He said, I really
Don’t mean no harm
I’m just Old Death
And I thought I might
Pay you a visit
Before night
He said, You’re Johnson–
Madam Alberta K.?
I said, Yes–but Alberta
Ain’t goin’ with you today!
No sooner had I told him
Than I awoke
The doctor said, Madam
Your fever’s broke–
Nurse, put her on a diet
And buy her some chicken
I said, Better buy two—
Cause I’m still here kickin’!