To cure their hearts of stone. But nobody No.nobody

Transcription

1 th Grade Oratorical Contest As a School of communication, part of our emphasis is on public speaking. In order to showcase this aspect of our school, Council is having an oratorical contest. The topic is African Anaeri an Poets. Each fourth grade student will select one of the provided poems. They must memorize the poem to present in class. This will be evaluated as an oral speaking grade for Language Arts. Please do not send props for students to use. The props are very distracting for the student while reciting their poem. We want students to focus more on dramatization and enunciation. Remember students are not allowed to read the poem, they must memorize it. In class performances begin on January 29, Oratorical Contest February 9, 2018 Every student is required to recite a poem for a listening/ speaking grade, however, students who wish to try out for the contest will be asked to go first so that a name is submitted by February 1st!

2

3 Madam And Her Madam by Langston Hughes I worked for a woman, She wasn't mean-- But she had a twelve-room House to clean. Had to get breakfast, Dinner, and supper, too Then take care of her children When I got through. Wash, iron, and scrub, Walk the dog around- It was too much, Nearly broke me down. I said, Madam, Can it be You trying to make a Pack-horse out of me? She opened her mouth. She cried, Oh, no! You know, Alberta, I love you so! Written by NJt<t<I Giovanni I You Carne, TOO I came to the crowd seet<lng friends I came to the crowd see1<1ng 1ove 1 came to the crolljd for understandlng I found you I came to the crowd t0 weep I came to the crolljd to laugh You dried my tears You shared my happiness 1 went from the crowd seet<lng you I went from the crowd seet<lng me 1 went from the crowd forever You came, too I said, Madam, That may be true But I'll be dogged If I love you! Alone by Maya Angelou Lying, thinking Last night How to find my soul a home Where water is not thirsty And bread loaf is not stone I came up with one thing And I don't believe I'm wrong That nobody, But nobody Alone, all alone Nobody, but nobody There are some millionaires With money they can't use Their wives run round like banshees Their children sing the blues They've got expensive doctors To cure their hearts of stone. But nobody No.nobody Alone, all alone Nobody, but nobody Now if you listen closely I'll tell you what I know Storm clouds are gathering The wind is gonna blow The race of man is suffering And I can hear the moan, 'Cause nobody, But nobody Alone, all alone Nobody, but nobody

4 Madam And The Phone Bill by Langston Hughes You say I 0.K.ed LONG DJST ANCE? 0.K.ed it when? My goodness, Central That was then! I'm mad and disgusted With that Negro now. I don't pay no REVERSED CHARGES nohow. You say, I will pay it- Else you'll take out my phone? You better let My phone alone. I didn't ask him To telephone me. Roscoe knows darn well LONG DISTANCE Ain't free. If I ever catch him, Lawd, have pity! Calling me up From Kansas City. Just to say he loves me! r knowed that was so. Why didn't he tell me some'n I don't know? An Evening by Gwendolyn Brooks A sunset's mounded cloud; A diamond evening-star; Sad blue hills afar; Love in his shroud. Scarcely a tear to shed; Hardly a word to say; The end of a summer day; Sweet Love dead. Po' Boy Blues When I was home de Sunshine s.eemed like gold. When I was home de Sunshine seemed like gold. Since I came 11p North de Whole wide world's turned cold. I was a good boy, Never done no wrong. Yes, I was a good boy, Never done no wrong, Bue this world is weary An' de road is hard an' long. For instance, what can Them other girls do That Alberta K. Johnson Can't do--and more, too? What's that, Central? You say you don't care Nothing about my Private affair? Well, even less about your PHONE BILL, does I care! Un-humm-m!... Yes! You say I gave my O.K.? Well, that O.K. you may keep- I fell in love with A gal I choughc was kind. Fell in love with A gal I thought was kind. She made me lose ma money An' almost lose ma mind. Wt:ary, weary, Weary early in de morn. Weary, weary, Early, early in dc: morn. I's so weary I wish I'd never been born. But I sure ain't gonna pay!

5 Sometimes I cry BY TUPaC sometimes UJhen rm alone. I cry because rm on my own The tears I cry are bitter and warm They AoUJ with life but take no form I cry because my heart Is wrn And I find it difflcult to carry on If I had an ear to confide f n I would cry among my treasured friends But UJhO do YOU Know that StOPS that 1ong To help another carry on The world moves fast and It would rather pass you by In Alabama. Ocmocrncy by LangsCon Hughes Democracy will not come Today, this year Nor ever Through compromise and fear. I have as much right As the other fellow has To stand On my two feet And own the land. Than to Stop and see what mar<es you cry It's painful and sad and sometimes I cry And no one cares about UJhY.... I tire so of hearing people say, Let things take their course. Tomorrow is another day. I do not need my freedom when I'm dead. I cannot live on tomorrow's bread. Freedom Is a strong seed Planted In a great need. I live here, too. I want freedom Just as you.

6