Harlem Hopscotch Poem by Maya Angelou

Harlem Hopscotch

Rating: 4.4


One foot down, then hop! It's hot.
Good things for the ones that's got.
Another jump, now to the left.
Everybody for hisself.

In the air, now both feet down.
Since you black, don't stick around.
Food is gone, the rent is due,
Curse and cry and then jump two.

All the people out of work,
Hold for three, then twist and jerk.
Cross the line, they count you out.
That's what hopping's all about.

Both feet flat, the game is done.
They think I lost. I think I won.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Alex Davis 03 November 2017

I like the way she takes a childrens game and ties it into life.

22 5 Reply
maya angelou 16 January 2018

your are a literal bum

14 6
Madhabi Banerjee 30 September 2017

'they I lost I think I won'' this is life's fantasy

15 9 Reply
bad b@#$! 02 January 2018

HYPE AFFF YUH! ! ! ! YWTFGO! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

11 7 Reply
Michael Walker 19 June 2017

An air of a children's game until the stark reminder: 'Food is gone, the rent is due'. Quite good.

13 5 Reply
Maya Angelou Maya Angelou 19 February 2024

the n word

1 0 Reply
Juicewrldgoat juicewrld 16 November 2023

I'm black

2 0 Reply
Richard Wlodarski 05 May 2022

Maya had most definitely won! One of the greatest poets of our time!

1 0 Reply
Gajanan Mishra 05 May 2022

So sweet and so meaningful

1 0 Reply
waddup roomates! 17 November 2021

bru my teacher jus told us to read this its boring.! bru.

1 10 Reply
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