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Madam and the Phone Bill


You say I O.K.ed
LONG DISTANCE?
O.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!
I knowed that was so.
Why didn't he tell me some'n
I don't know?


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--


But I sure ain't gonna pay!

Written by Langston Hughes (1902-1967)

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