You say I O.K.ed <br />LONG DISTANCE? <br />O.K.ed it when? <br />My goodness, Central <br />That was then! <br /> <br />I'm mad and disgusted <br />With that Negro now. <br />I don't pay no REVERSED <br />CHARGES nohow. <br /> <br />You say, I will pay it-- <br />Else you'll take out my phone? <br />You better let <br />My phone alone. <br /> <br />I didn't ask him <br />To telephone me. <br />Roscoe knows darn well <br />LONG DISTANCE <br />Ain't free. <br /> <br />If I ever catch him, <br />Lawd, have pity! <br />Calling me up <br />From Kansas City. <br /> <br />Just to say he loves me! <br />I knowed that was so. <br />Why didn't he tell me some'n <br />I don't know? <br /> <br />For instance, what can <br />Them other girls do <br />That Alberta K. Johnson <br />Can't do--and more, too? <br /> <br />What's that, Central? <br />You say you don't care <br />Nothing about my <br />Private affair? <br /> <br />Well, even less about your <br />PHONE BILL, does I care! <br /> <br />Un-humm-m! . . . Yes! <br />You say I gave my O.K.? <br />Well, that O.K. you may keep-- <br /> <br />But I sure ain't gonna pay!<br /><br />Langston Hughes<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/madam-and-the-phone-bill/
