The rent man knocked.
He said, Howdy-do?
I said, What
Can I do for you?
He said, You know
Your rent is due.
I said, Listen,
Before I'd pay
I'd go to Hades
And rot away!
The sink is broke,
The water don't run,
And you ain't done a thing
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 want
You're out of luck.
He said, Madam,
I ain't pleased!
I said, Neither am I.
So we agrees!
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
This one is taken from THE COLLECTED POEMS OF LANGSTON HUGHES by Langston Hughes, © 1994 by The Estate of Langston Hughes.
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Comments
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it was nice
From guest jerry (contact)
o like the way he put it and the old lady kinda did wat i would do you aint gettin your money till you fix eveything -
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From guest Tizza (contact)
If you read between the line , you'd see more to the poem, espeacially at the end. Given the era and the charcters involved... in my opion... that "madam" paid the man.. in a very speacial way. When they "agreed" -Just my thought -
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poem review
From guest sarina (contact)
a poem with many different features, the light-hearted theme is a great characteristic. and the sarcastic tone is very upholding -
what
From guest Nakia Wallner (contact)
what is his goal of the peom. what is really trying 2 describe or tell? -
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From guest jarita mackey (contact)
i think this poem is very good it is really intersesting to me good jobs -
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great job
From guest tiara hill (contact)
i love this poem so much i think i is funny because i would not pay no rent if eveything is not fix in my house to name is tiara hill and i have to read this poem nice nice poem out loud i am in the 7 grade! -
poem
From guest destiny mechelle williams (contact)
we gave to study this poem for a test but i like it anway
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