Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ELEVATOR BOY by JAMES LANGSTON HUGHES

Poet Analysis

First Line: I GOT A JOB NOW
Last Line: I been runnin' this / elevator too long. / guess I'll quit now
Subject(s): AFRICAN AMERICANS; ELEVATORS; NEGROES; AMERICAN BLACKS;
I got a job now
Runnin' an elevator
In the Dennison Hotel in Jersey,
Job aint no good though.
No money around.
Jobs are just chances
Like everything else.
Maybe a little luck now,
Maybe not.
Maybe a good job sometimes:
Step out o' the barrel, boy.
Two new suits an'
A woman to sleep with.
Maybe no luck for a long time.
Only the elevators
Goin' up an' down,
Up an' down,
Or somebody else's shoes
To shine,
Or greasy pots in a dirty kitchen.
I been runnin' this
Elevator too long.
Guess I'll quit now.



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