Langston Hughes
Madam and Daughter
Mama, please brush off my coat
I’m going down the street
Where’re you going, daughter?
To see my sugar-sweet
Who is your sugar, honey?
Turn around–I’ll brush behind
He is that young man, mama
I can’t get off my mind
Daughter, once upon a time–
Let me brush the hem–
Your father, yes, he was the one!
I felt like that about him
But it was a long time ago
He up and went his way
I hope that wild young son-of-a-gun
Rots in hell today!
Mama, dad couldn’t be still young
He was young yesterday
He was young when he–
Turn around!
So I can brush your back, I say!