Day and Night

The day is a Negro 
   Yelling out of breath. 
The night is a Negro
    Laughing up to death. 

The day is a jazz band 
   Blasting loud and wild. 
The night is a jazz band
   Moaning Blues songs, child. 

The day is the sunshine 
   Undressed in the stree. 
The night is the sunshine
   Dressed from head to feet. 

I am like a rainbow 
  Arched across the way. 
Yes, I am a rainbow
  Being night nor day. 

From Caroling Dusk (Harper & Brothers, 1927), edited by Countee Cullen. This poem is in the public domain.