Biography series: Booker T. Washington

I know only my first name

by Joel Howard

inspired by the life and childhood of Booker T. Washington

Booker, that's me

I know only my first name

"Mamma, can you tell me a story?" 

"There is no time," she'd explain

I'm desired to work, but don't get paid

Booker, that's me

I know only my first name

Booker, that's me

I know only my first name

"Mamma, when will freedom come?" 

I'd ask time and again

"When will freedom come?"

"When will I know my name?"

Booker, that's me

I know only my first name

"I've no time to teach my sons"

"There's so much work to be done"

This is what slavery means

There is no time to read

O Heaven, take my son

There's so much work to be done

How long until this ends? 

How long, O how long? 

---

"No race can prosper until it learns that there is as much dignity in tilling a field as in writing a poem." - Booker T. Washington

Back to Biography series