Langston Hughes

Here you will find the Poem Madam and the Census Man of poet Langston Hughes

Madam and the Census Man

The census man, 
The day he came round,
Wanted my name
To put it down.

I said, Johnson,
Alberta K.
But he hated to write 
The K that way.

He said, What
Does K stand for?
I said, K--
And nothing more.

He said, I'm gonna put it
KÐAÐY.
I said, If you do,
You lie.

My mother christened me
Alberta K.
You leave my name
Just that way!

He said, Mrs.,
(With a snort)
Just a K
Makes your name too short.

I said, I don't
Give a damn!
Leave me and my name
Just like I am!

Furthermore, rub out
That MRS., too--
I'll have you know
I'm Madam to you!