I Know What The Caged Bird Feels,

People Are Taking It For Granted That [the Negro] Ought Not To Work With His Head. And It Is So Easy For These People Among Whom We Are Living To Believe This; It Flatters And Satisfies Their Self-complacency.

But A Prayer That He Sends From His Heart's Deep Core.

I Hope There Is Something Worthy In My Writings And Not Merely The Novelty Of A Black Face Associated With The Power To Rhyme That Has Attracted Attention.

..we Wear The Mask That Grins And Lies, It Hides Our Cheeks And Shades Our Eyes- This Debt We Pay To Human Guile; With Torn And Bleeding Hearts We Smile.

Taking It All In All And After All, Negro Life In Washington Is A Promise Rather Than A Fulfillment. But It Is Worthy Of Note For The Really Excellent Things Which Are Promised