This is a poem-- it's the poem that
ends the book "Good Times."
And it's the one poem in this book
that my editor didn't like.
I read it every chance I get.
[LAUGHTER]
Perhaps you will understand why she didn't like it.
I understand that, but I like it.
It was written for my children.
I have four daughters and two sons.
They are very beautiful.
The poem is called "Admonitions."
"boys i don't promise you nothing but this.
what you pawn, i will redeem.
what you steal, i will conceal.
my private silence to your public guilt is all i got.
girls first time a white man opens his fly
like a good thing, we'll just laugh.
laugh real loud, my black women.
children, when they ask you, why is your mama so funny?
say, she is a poet.
she don't have no sense."
[LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE]