Category: American Poetry

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,…
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
American, American Poetry, Black History, General, History, Phillis Wheatley, poet, Poetry, Religion and Spirituality, Uncategorized, United States, women, women poets

February 2, 2022

On Being Brought from Africa to America

“Some view our sable race with scornful eye, “Their colour is a diabolic die.” Remember, Christians, Negros, black as Cain, May be refin’d, and join th’ angelic train.” — from “On being brought from AFRICA to AMERICA.” by Phillis Wheatley
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
American, American Poetry, Martin Luther King, Jr., poet, Poetry, United States

January 17, 2022

The Streetsweeper

“Be a bush if you can’t be a tree. If you can’t be a highway, just be a trail. If you can’t be a sun, be a star. For it isn’t by size that you win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, JR.
American, American Poetry, Edgar Alrbert Guest, Uncategorized, United States

January 2, 2022

On Quitting

How much grit do you think you’ve got? Can you turn from joys that you like a lot? Have you ever tested yourself to know How far with yourself your will can go? If you want to know if you have grit, Just pick out a joy that you like, and quit.
America, American, American Poetry, Marianne Moore, poet, Poetry, Uncategorized, United States, women, women poets

January 1, 2022

“A Jelly Fish”

The blue Surrounding it Grows cloudy, and It floats away From you.
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…”