Poem: Gum
Author: Jean Toomer (1894–1967) [bio] 
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10      <date ty="death" circa="false" suffix="ad">1967</date>
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1

On top of two tall buildings,

 Where Seventh Street joints

The Avenue,

The city's signs:

STAR

JESUS

5

The Light of the World

…

WRIGLEYS

eat it

 after

every meal

10

 It Does You Good

Intermittently, their lights flash

Down upon the streets of Washington,

The sleek pat streets some asphalt spider

Spun and tired of.

15

Upon a fountain in the square

Where sparrows get their water,

Upon the tambourines and drum

Of the Salvation Army jawing,

Hallelujah!

20

The crowd

jaws Jesus

 jawing gum.

To cite this poem:

MLA
Toomer, Jean. “Gum.” Columbia Granger's World of Poetry Online. 2025. Columbia University Press. 26 Dec. 2025. <http://www.columbiagrangers.org>.

Chicago Manual of Style
Jean Toomer. “Gum.” Columbia Granger's World of Poetry Online. http://www.columbiagrangers.org (accessed December 26, 2025). 

          
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