Category: 20th century

20th century, African-American, American, American Poetry, Classic Poetry, Harlem Renaissance, Langston Hughes, Stanza

January 13, 2026

The Negro Speaks of Rivers

“My soul has grown deep like the rivers.” Written when he was just 17, this Langston Hughes classic traces Black history from the Euphrates to the Mississippi.
20th century

January 1, 2023

“Beyond the Years”

by Paul Laurence Dunbar I Beyond the years the answer lies,Beyond where brood the grieving skies And Night drops tears.Where Faith rod-chastened smiles to rise And doff its fears,And carping Sorrow pines and dies— …
19th century, 20th century, African-American, America, American, American Poetry, E.W. Harper, Ellen Watkins Harper, Frances E. W. Harper, General, poet, Poetry, Uncategorized, United States, Victorian Era, Victorian Period

August 15, 2022

Songs for the People

by Ellen Watkins Harper Let me make the songs for the people, Songs for the old and young;Songs to stir like a battle-cry Wherever they are sung.Not for the clashing of sabres, For carnage nor for strife;But songs to thrill the hearts of men With more abundant life.Let me make the songs for the weary,…
19th century, 20th century, African-American, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Poetry

August 14, 2022

In Summer

by Paul Laurence Dunbar Oh, summer has clothed the earthIn a cloak from the loom of the sun!And a mantle, too, of the skies’ soft blue,And a belt where the rivers run. And now for the kiss of the wind,And the touch of the air’s soft hands,With the rest from strife and the heat of…
19th century, 20th century, African-American, Paul Laurence Dunbar

August 13, 2022

“The Poet and His Song”

Read “The Poet and His Song” by Paul Laurence Dunbar.
20th century, Black History, Claude McKay, modern poetry, Poetry, United States

February 5, 2022

“If We Must Die”

“Oh, Kinsmen! We must meet the common foe; Though far outnumbered, let us still be brave, And for their thousand blows deal one death-blow!…”— from “If We Must Die” by Claude McKay
20th century, African-American, America, American, American Poetry, Black History, Melvin B. Tolson, poet, Poetry, United States

February 4, 2022

A Song for Myself

“The corn Will fat A hog Or rat:” — from “A Song for Myself” by Melvin B. Tolson
19th century, 20th century, American Poetry, Black History, Celebration, modern poetry, United States, William Braithwaite

January 23, 2022

“Rhapsody”

“Are the entrance-place of wonders, Where dreams come in from the rush and din Like sheep from the rains and thunders.” — from “Rhapsody” by William Braithwaite
19th century, 20th century, Khalil Gibran, MIddle East, modern poetry, poet, Poetry, Uncategorized

December 3, 2021

“And When My Sorrow was Born” by Khalil Gibran (1883 – 1931)

And every day for seven moons I proclaimed my Joy from the house-top—and yet no one heeded me. And my Joy and I were alone, unsought and unvisited.
20th century, African-American, Joseph S. Cotter, Jr., Literature, United States

February 16, 2021

“And What Shall You Say?” by Joseph S. Cotter, Jr.

I mock no peoples, My people are mocked.” And, brother, what shall you say?