At the age of eight
At the age of eight I was already working to calm the hunger of my family.
I have suffered: hunger, cold—
I have a family
They said I was homely
That I danced like an ape
Then I was less homely—Cosmetics
I was hooted
Then I was applauded—The crowd
I continued to dance—I loved jazz
I continued to sing—I loved sadness; my soul is sick
I had an opportunity—Destiny
I had a mascot—a panther—Ancestral superstition—
I made a tour of the world—In third class and in Pullman
I am moral
They said I was the reverse
I do not smoke—I have white teeth
I do not drink—I am an American
I have a religion
I adore children
I love flowers
I aid the poor—I have suffered much
I love the animals—they are the sincerest
I sing and dance still—Perseverance
I earn much money—I do not love money
I save my money—for the time when I am no longer an attraction.
Baker