Madam and The Rent Man
The rent man knocked.
He said,
Howdy-do?
I said,
Can I do for you?
He said,
You
Your rent is due.
I said,
Listen,
Before I'd payI'd go to Hades And rot away!
The sink is broke,
The water don't run,
And you ain't done a
You promised to've done.
Back window's cracked,
Kitchen floor squeaks,
There's rats in the cellar,
And the attic leaks.
He said,
Madam,
It's not up to me.
I'm just the agent,
Don't you see?
I said,
Naturally,
You pass the buck.
If it's money you
You're out of luck.
He said,
Madam,
I ain't pleased!
I said,
Neither am I.
So we agrees!
This is one of a number of Madam poems by Langston Hughes that can be considered as a linked series.
Madam And The Rent Man Madam And The Census Man Madam And Her Madam Madam And The Phone Bill Madam’s Past History This one is taken from
HE
ED
MS OF
ON
ES by Langston Hughes, 1994 by The Estate of Langston Hughes.
The header graphic is an illustration from the Liberation News Service, the late 1970's.
Langston Hughes
Other author posts
Dream Variations
To fling my arms wide In some place of the sun, To whirl and to dance Till the white day is done.
Motto
I play it coolI dig all That's the reason I stay My As I live and
Dream Deferred
What happens to a dream deferred Does it dry Like a raisin in the sun Or fester like a sore—And then run
I, Too
I, too, sing America. I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes,
