O.M. Skinner, "Give Me the Rainbow" (1921)
Of something dear and real
And which should be a token good and true:
Something to suit my color.
And gives a hue for all,
I think I’ll choose the rainbow,
wouldn’t you?
Give me the rainbow,
The sign that is so true.
And let me take my color
And leave the rest for you.
For all of such, you find so much.
So give me the rainbow true
No token is more truer:
No emblem can be so dear;
The one true sign of promise we are told.
And if I have the rainbow
Life sorrows when it rains
Will find the rainbow sucking free and bold.
Prof. O. M. Skinner.
Published in The Negro World, March 5, 1921