Category: 20th century

20th century, American Poetry, Black History, Georgia Douglas Johnson, Poetry, United States, women poets

February 4, 2021

“Welt” by Georgia Douglas Johnson

“For I would go a further while with you…”
20th century, African-American, American Poetry, Black History, Literature, Poetry

February 2, 2021

An Excerpt from “Heritage” by Countee Cullen (1903 – 1946)

“…Spicy grove, cinnamon tree, What is Africa to me?”
19th century, 20th century, African-American, Otto Leland Bohanan

January 18, 2021

“The Washer-Woman” by Otto Leland Bohanan

“A GREAT swart cheek and the gleam of tears, The flutter of hopes and the shadow of fears,”
20th century

May 27, 2020

“Ars Poetica” by Archibald Macleish

DumbAs old medallions to the thumb, Silent as the sleeve-worn stoneOf casement ledges where the moss has grown— A poem should be wordless As the flight of birds. * A poem should be motionless in time As the moon climbs, Leaving, as the moon releasesTwig by twig the night-entangled trees, Leaving, as the moon behind the…
20th century, African-American, America, American, American Poetry, Black History, Leslie Pinckney Hill, Poetry, Uncategorized, United States

February 5, 2019

“Tuskegee” by Leslie Pinckney Hill (1880 – 1960)

Here’s an #excerpt from a #poem, entitled, “Tuskegee” by Leslie Pinckney Hilly: “Not many steps ahead, but this we know— If all our toilsome building is in vain, Availing not to set our manhood free, If envious hate roots out the seed we sow…,”
20th century, America, American, American Poetry, Black History, Lucian B. Watkins, United States

February 4, 2019

“Star of Ethiopia” by Lucian B. Watkins (1871 – 1938)

Here’s an #excerpt from a #poem, entitled, “Star of Ethiopia” by #Lucian B. Watkins: “The night is dark but, one by one, Thy signals, ever and anon, Smile beacon answers to their plea, Out in the Night.”
20th century, African-American, America, American, American Poetry, Black History, Paul Laurence Dunbar, United States

February 1, 2019

“Little Brown Baby” by Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872 – 1906)

Here’s an excerpt from a #poem, entitled, “Little Brown #Baby” by Paul Laurence Dunbar. “Little brown baby wif spa’klin’ eyes Who’s pappy’s darlin’ an’ who’s pappy’s chile? Who is it all de day nevah once tries Fu’ to be cross, er once loses dat smile?”
20th century, America, American, American Poetry, Black History, Dream, European Poetry, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Poetry, United States

February 1, 2019

“Dreams” by Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872 – 1906)

What dreams we have and how they flyLike rosy clouds across the sky;Of wealth, of fame, of sure success,Of love that comes to cheer and bless;And how they wither, how they fade,The waning wealth, the jilting jade –The fame that for a moment gleams,Then flies forever, -dreams, ah -dreams! O burning doubt and long regretO…
20th century, American Poetry, Edna St. Vincent Millay, United States, women poets

January 31, 2019

“First Fig” by Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892 – 1950)

Here’s an excerpt from a #poem, entitled, “First Fig” by Edna St. Vincent Millay: “It gives a lovely light.”
20th century, A.E. Housman, England, English, English poetry, Victorian Era

December 26, 2018

“When I Was One-and-Twenty” by A.E. Housman

“…When I was one-and-twenty I heard him say again, “The heart out of the bosom Was never given in vain…;”