Moms Mabley Live at the Playboy Club 1961
by Toni Asante Lightfoot
Love is like playing checkers.
You have to know which man to move.
- Moms Mabley
This young man wants me
to entertain men and women
like I'm some young hot thing.
I like that. I ain't been young
since before the depression.
He offers me the chance
to be pressed onto black vinyl.
This club on Chicago's lake front
is gilt and I'm ready to beguile.
When I enter the Apollo
I bring in the sun
through thunderous applause.
Here these folks don't know me
yet. Hugh knows I got what it takes
to bring the house to its knees.
It's August 1961, Chicago is hot
I'm an old cool grandma
making Jim Crow look like the fool
he is. The bunnies serve drinks.
Mr. Hefner's place services desires.
I offer mirrors then smash
our images of ourselves. It's good
to see that we can be something better
than when we entered this house.
Men and women of high brows, long money
and reputations as big tippers. No one
is allowed to touch a tail, thigh, just tip.
These folks laugh and I know the record
will sound good because nothing’s sadder
than the sound of half laughs and no claps.
I know this is going to be a good night
when Hef has his own hand on his chest
his buttons pulsating with his own joy.
You have to know which man to move.
- Moms Mabley
This young man wants me
to entertain men and women
like I'm some young hot thing.
I like that. I ain't been young
since before the depression.
He offers me the chance
to be pressed onto black vinyl.
This club on Chicago's lake front
is gilt and I'm ready to beguile.
When I enter the Apollo
I bring in the sun
through thunderous applause.
Here these folks don't know me
yet. Hugh knows I got what it takes
to bring the house to its knees.
It's August 1961, Chicago is hot
I'm an old cool grandma
making Jim Crow look like the fool
he is. The bunnies serve drinks.
Mr. Hefner's place services desires.
I offer mirrors then smash
our images of ourselves. It's good
to see that we can be something better
than when we entered this house.
Men and women of high brows, long money
and reputations as big tippers. No one
is allowed to touch a tail, thigh, just tip.
These folks laugh and I know the record
will sound good because nothing’s sadder
than the sound of half laughs and no claps.
I know this is going to be a good night
when Hef has his own hand on his chest
his buttons pulsating with his own joy.
Toni Asante Lightfoot has been living in Chicago since 2002. She's worked with the Guild Complex, Neighborhood Writing Alliance, ETA Theater, and Young Chicago Authors where she is currently the Director of Writing Workshops. Lightfoot is a Cave Canem fellow and spent 2 years as a Soul Mountain fellow held in the retreat home of Marilyn Nelson, Poet Laureate Emeritus of Connecticut. Lightfoot’s poetry and reviews can be found in numerous anthologies, journals, and online. She is married with a lovely daughter who inspires Lightfoot to laugh, write, and dance.