'It seems to me,' said Booker T., <br />'It shows a mighty lot of cheek <br />To study chemistry and Greek <br />When Mister Charlie needs a hand <br />To hoe the cotton on his land, <br />And when Miss Ann looks for a cook, <br />Why stick your nose inside a book?' <br />'I don't agree,' said W.E.B., <br />'If I should have the drive to seek <br />Knowledge of chemistry or Greek, <br />I'll do it. Charles and Miss can look <br />Another place for hand or cook. <br />Some men rejoice in skill of hand, <br />And some in cultivating land, <br />But there are others who maintain <br />The right to cultivate the brain.' <br />'It seems to me,' said Booker T., <br />'That all you folks have missed the <br />boat <br />Who shout about the right to vote, <br />And spend vain days and sleepless <br />nights <br />In uproar over civil rights. <br />Just keep your mouths shut, do not <br />grouse, <br />But work, and save, and buy a house.' <br />'I don't agree,' said W.E.B., <br />'For what can property avail <br />If dignity and justice fail. <br />Unless you help to make the laws, <br />They'll steal your house with <br />trumped-up clause. <br />A rope's as tight, a fire as hot, <br />No matter how much cash you've got. <br />Speak soft, and try your little plan, <br />But as for me, I'll be a man.' <br />'It seems to me,' said Booker T. -- <br />'I don't agree,' <br />Said W.E.B.<br /><br />Dudley Randall<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/booker-t-and-w-e-b/
