roxy: (Default)
roxy ([personal profile] roxy) wrote2005-03-19 01:01 pm

Langston Hughes

[livejournal.com profile] dolimir_k's Friday Poll made me think of Langston Hughes and how much I enjoyed his Simple Stories when I were a wee Roxy, and that sent me looking for them, and I found this, which made me laugh and then instantly depressed me because it could have been written yesterday instead of forty (!) years ago.
Anyway, give it a read and tell me what you think. And my, goodness wasn't he a handsome man back in the day?
http://www.weblogimages.com/v.p?uid=Roxy&pid=294797&sid=hlL16uwyG6

I'm popping it behind the cut for length, but give it a look-see.

Langston Hughes
(1902-1967)

Dinner Guest: Me


I know I am
The Negro Problem
Being wined and dined,
Answering the usual questions
That come to white mind
Which seeks demurely
To Probe in polite way
The why and wherewithal
Of darkness U.S.A.--
Wondering how things got this way
In current democratic night,
Murmuring gently
Over fraises du bois,
"I'm so ashamed of being white."
The lobster is delicious,
The wine divine,
And center of attention
At the damask table, mine.
To be a Problem on
Park Avenue at eight
Is not so bad.
Solutions to the Problem,
Of course, wait.
tabaqui: (Default)

[personal profile] tabaqui 2005-03-20 05:35 am (UTC)(link)
Oh dear GOD i hate you!!
Hate you!!


Summer heat making their skin warm and slick and salty as the sea. Creole Rhapsody scratching out on the Victorola and Lang's hands on Spike's thighs - on his belly. Slow dip of his head and to Spike he tastes like licorice and gin and new-minted honey. Smooth skin of his jaw - dense wire of his hair, freed from the 'do he wore to the club. Scent of smoke and mint and blood where Dru scratched his wrist - words of a poem breathed into his ear and Spike turned them - smiled lazily - bent his head and took him in...

[identity profile] roxymissrose.livejournal.com 2005-03-20 06:03 am (UTC)(link)
SHREEEEEEEKKKK!!!!
YOU!!
You make me so happy! How can such a short piece be so fucking HOT!!!

God, you're a fuckin' genius! More, more!Oh, you could make it so magic, Spike in New York--man, I can see you following him through the decades, ooo! Out of one hotel--just change the years, but it's the same place, and--did someone else do this already?
did I tell you I'm stupid in love with you?
tabaqui: (Default)

[personal profile] tabaqui 2005-03-20 06:31 am (UTC)(link)
*hugs you*
Dude. Have i not THOUGHT of doing things like that? Have I not DREAMED it? Historical Spike and Dru....god!!
I WANT to - don't know if i CAN.

*frets*
*kicks bunnies*

This sight? Kicks ass.
http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/encyclopedia/H/Ha/Harlem_Renaissance.htm


[identity profile] roxymissrose.livejournal.com 2005-03-20 06:41 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, what a great site, thanks!

Hey! you can do it, you have the skills to do it, you can age his character, change his voice slightly without warping it, you write a brilliant Dru, you have the ability to make the surroundings so fucking real, hell, you describing a room can make me cry, you made me cry describing music! I can't see that you wouldn't be able to handle a project like that and as far as reasearch I can help whenever you want, you know I love shit like that--hell what could stop you, right? do it girl, you need to!
tabaqui: (Default)

[personal profile] tabaqui 2005-03-20 06:50 am (UTC)(link)
Oh fuck me.
Damn you.

I hate you.


*not really*

GAH!!
Harlem. 30's. Black and Tan Fantasy and fuckin' Louie Armstrong and...
fuck.
*sigh*
I'm in.

[identity profile] roxymissrose.livejournal.com 2005-03-20 07:03 am (UTC)(link)
YAH-HOOOOO!!! *high fives self, trips falls over dog-like creature*

You know you luuurve me...you can not haaate me...becuz you luuuurve me...

*does obnoxious buttwaggle*

*hugkisshug*

*waits*
tabaqui: (Default)

[personal profile] tabaqui 2005-03-20 07:11 am (UTC)(link)
ARRRRRRRRRGGGGH!!!

Heh.
Blah.
K.
Well.
Gotta go read that sight over, and figure out what Spike and Dru are up to, and...
Hell.
Researchmode!!!
:D
*bounce*

tabaqui: (Default)

[personal profile] tabaqui 2005-03-20 08:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Oooh, you evol thing.
:)
You make me smile and smile.

Did i reply to this already?
Heh.
I'm all confused.