Langston Hughes
Madam and Daughter
Mama, please brush off my coat
I’m going down the street

Where’re you going, daughter?

To see my sugar-sweet

Who is your sugar, honey?
Turn around–I’ll brush behind

He is that young man, mama
I can’t get off my mind

Daughter, once upon a time–
Let me brush the hem–
Your father, yes, he was the one!
I felt like that about him

But it was a long time ago
He up and went his way
I hope that wild young son-of-a-gun
Rots in hell today!

Mama, dad couldn’t be still young

He was young yesterday
He was young when he–
Turn around!
So I can brush your back, I say!