Category: African-American

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.
18th Century, African-American, Literature, Phillis Wheatley, Phyllis Wheatley, poet, Poetry, Uncategorized, United States, women, women poets

February 14, 2022

“To the Right Honourable William, Earl of Dartmouth”

“May fiery coursers sweep th’ ethereal plain, And bear thee upwards to that blest abode, Where, like the prophet, thou shalt find thy God.”
African-American, America, American, American Poetry, Black History, General, Harlem Renaissance, Jean Toomer, Poetry, United States

February 7, 2022

“Beehive”

“Silver bees intently buzzing, Silver honey dripping from the swarm of bees Earth is a waxen cell of the world comb,”— from “Beehive” by Jean Toomer
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
18th Century, African-American, American, American Poetry, Black History, Poetry, Uncategorized

February 3, 2022

From “An Anniversary Poem, Entitled, ‘The Progress of Liberty” by James Madison Bell (1826 – 1902)

“Though slavery’s dead, yet there remains A work for those from whom the chains Today are falling one by one; Nor should they deem their labor done,”— from “An Anniversary Poem, Entitled, ‘The Progress of Liberty” by James Madison Bell
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?
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?”
18th Century, African-American, American Poetry, Black History, Phillis Wheatley

February 1, 2021

From “To the Right Honoruable William, Earl of Dartmouth” by Phillis Wheatley

Should you, my lord, while you peruse my song, Wonder from whence my love of Freedom sprung, Whence flow these wishes for the common good, By feeling hearts alone best understood, I, young in life, by seeming cruel fate Was snatch’d from Afric’s fancy’d happy seat: What pangs excruciating must molest, What sorrows labour in…
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, 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…,”