When I think about myself, I almost laugh myself to death,

When I think about myself,
I almost laugh myself to death,
My life has been one great big joke, Sixty years in these folks' world
A dance that's walked The child I works for calls me girl
A song that's spoke, I say "Yes ma'am" for working's sake.
I laugh so hard I almost choke Too proud to bend
When I think about myself. Too poor to break,
I laugh until my stomach ache,
When I think about myself.
My folks can make me split my side,
I laughed so hard I nearly died,
The tales they tell, sound just like lying,
They grow the fruit,
But eat the rind,
I laugh until I start to crying,
When I think about my folks.
-- Maya Angelou