Category: American Poetry

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, American Poetry, United States, Walt Whitman

June 8, 2019

“One’s-Self I Sing” by Walt Whitman (1819 – 1892)

Here’s an excerpt from Walt Whitman’s #poem, entitled, “One’s-Self I Sing”: “Of Life immense in passion, pulse, and power, Cheerful, for freest action form’d under the laws divine, The Modern Man I sing.”
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.”
19th century, American, American Poetry, Emily Dickinson, new england, United States

January 1, 2019

“[There Is No Frigate Like] A Book” by Emily Dickinson

Here’s an excerpt from a #poem by Emily Dickinson, entitled, “[There is no Frigate like] A Book”: “…This Traverse may the poorest take Without oppress of Toll – How frugal is the Chariot That bears the Human Soul – ”
19th century, 20th century, American Poetry, Nonsense Poetry, Poetry, Uncategorized, United States

November 2, 2018

“Cinq Ans Apres” by Frank Gelette Burgess (1866 – 1961)

Ah, yes, I wrote the “Purple Cow”— I’m Sorry, now, I wrote it; But I can tell you Anyhow I’ll Kill you if you Quote it!