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November, 1926
FIRE
Page Twenty-one
Railroad Avenue
Dusk darkOn Railroad Avenue. Lights in the fish joints, Lights in the pool rooms. A box car some train Has forgotten In the middle of the block. A player piano, A victrola. 942 Was the number. A boy Lounging on the corner. A passing girl With purple powdered skin. Laughter Suddenly Like a taut drum. Laughter Suddenly Neither truth nor lie. Laughter Hardening the dusk dark evening. Laughter Shaking the lights in the fish joints, Rolling white balls in the pool rooms, And leaving untouched the box car Some train has forgotten.Langston Hughes.
