BONTEMPS, Arna

God Give to Men

God give the yellow man
an easy breeze at blossom time.
Grant his eager, slanting eyes to cover
every land and dream
of afterwhile.
 
Give blue-eyed men their swivel chairs
to whirl in tall buildings.
Allow them many ships at sea,
and on land, soldiers
and policemen.
 
For black man, God,
no need to bother more
but only fill afresh his meed
of laughter,
his cup of tears.
 
God suffer little men
the taste of soul's desire.