Harlem Sunset, Harlem Sunrise
by Chip White

The sun has set uptown
the colors turn
bright red to hazy brown
and as it fades, to the west
bring on the night
dusk is a peaceful sight

In the park
it's almost dark
street lights
birds in flight
at twilight

The people come
out to play
they made it through
another day
folks dressing clean
make the scene
This Harlem night
has begun to convene

Here comes the sun
once again
it burns the eyes
of me and my friends
we brought our shades
for the glare
the gentle dawn
left us no time
to spare

The gig was fine
Club 609
we knocked ‘em dead
we got our bread
now home to bed

The morning air
is clear
the trees are green
the drive is so serene
the river winds
all the way
This Harlem Night
has become a lovely day

Special thanks to Norma A. White (Mom) for love and support; Algernon B. White (Dad) for my first drum lesson; Margaret Davis- Haley; Geroge Lamboy and Royal Entertainment; Kathy Sanson and the gang at The Dance Spot Studio; and my cousin, author and playwright Alice Childress, for a lifetime of personal and artistic inspiration.

-- Chip White