You say I O.K.ed
LONG DISTANCE?
O.K.ed it when?
My goodness, Central
That was then!
I'm mad and disgusted
With that Negro now.
I don't pay no REVERSED
CHARGES nohow.
You say, I will pay it—
Else you'll take out my phone?
You better let
My phone alone.
I didn't ask him
To telephone me.
Roscoe knows darn well
LONG DISTANCE
Ain't free.
If I ever catch him,
Lawd, have pity!
Calling me up
From Kansas City.
Just to say he loves me!
I knowed that was so.
Why didn't he tell me some'n
I don't know?
For instance, what can
Them other girls do
That Alberta K. Johnson
Can't do—and more, too?
What's that, Central?
You say you don't care
Nothing about my
Private affair?
Well, even less about your
PHONE BILL, does I care!
Un-humm-m! . . . Yes!
You say I gave my O.K.?
Well, that O.K. you may keep—
But I sure ain't gonna pay!
Notes
This is one of a number of Madam poems by Langston Hughes that can be considered as a lonked series.
Madam And The Rent Man http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/70753
Madam And The Census Man http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/show/70755
Madam And Her Madam http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/12621
Madam And The Phone Bill http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/12620
Madam’s Past History http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/70751
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Comments
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these poems
From guest miyah mcdaniel (contact)
i love the whole series of poems by langston hughes, he is my inspiration -
What a wonderful read. Hughes has made this so believable I can readily imagine this conversation taking place. It would make an excellent comic sketch in the Bob Newhart style.
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lol...I love humor, this was just so beautiful and upfront...wonderful! I love Langston, may he RIP
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That was so freakin' cool!!!
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hahaha i love this!
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