Langston Hughes, "Nocturne for the Drums" (1927)
By Langston Hughes
Gay little devils
That hide in gin
And tickle black boys
Under the chin
And make them laugh,
Gay little devils
That lurk in kisses,
And shine in the eyes
Of ebony misses,
Shine in their eyes:
Whee-e-el!
O-o-o-o . . . Boom!
Jazz band in a cabaret!
The quick red hour
Before the day.
Published in The Messenger, June 1927