Category: American
-
“A Mathematical Problem in Verse” by Benjamin Banneker
A COOPER and Vintner sat down for a talk, Both being so groggy, that neither could walk, Says Cooper to Vintner, “I’m the first of my trade, There’s no kind of vessel, but what I have made, And of any shpe, Sir, -just what you will,- And of any size, Sir, -from a ton to…
-
“Georgia Dusk” by Jean Toomer (1894 – 1967)
The sky, lazily disdaining to pursue The setting sun, too indolent to hold A lengthened tournament for flashing gold, Passively darkens for night’s barbecue, A feast of moon and men and barking hounds, An orgy for some genius of the South With blood-hot eyes and cane-lipped scented mouth, Surprised in making folk-songs from soul sounds.…
-
“A Golden Day” by Paul Laurence Dunbar
I Found you and I lost you, All on a gleaming day. The day was filled with sunshine, And the land was full of May. A golden bird was singing Its melody divine, I found you and I loved you, And all the world was mine. I found you and I lost you, All on…
-
“The Birth of John Henry” by Melvin B. Tolson (1898 – 1966)
The night John Henry is born an ax of lightning splits the sky, and a hammer of thunder pounds the earth, and the eagles and panthers cry! John Henry—he says to his Ma and Pa: “Get a gallon of barleycorn. I want to start right, like a he-man child, the night that I am born!”…
-
“An Answer to the Rebus, By The Author of These Poems” by Phillis Wheatley
The poet asks, and Phillis can’t refuse To show th’ obedience of the Infant muse. She knows the Quail of most inviting taste Fed Israel’s army in the dreary waste; And what’s on Britain’s royal standard borne, But the tall, graceful, rampant Unicorn? The Emerald with a vivid verdure glows Among the gems which regal…
-
“An Hymn to Humanity” by Phillis Wheatley
I. Lo! for this dark terrestrial ball Forsakes his azure-paved hall A prince of heav’nly birth! Divine Humanity behold, What wonders rise, what charms unfold At his descent to earth! II. The bosoms of the great and good With wonder and delight he view’d, And fix’d his empire there: Him, close compressing to…
-
“On Imagination” by Phillis Wheatley
THY various works, imperial queen, we see, How bright their forms! how deck’d with pomp by thee! Thy wond’rous acts in beauteous order stand, And all attest how potent is thine hand. From Helicon’s refulgent heights attend, Ye sacred choir, and my attempts befriend: To tell her glories with a faithful tongue, Ye blooming graces,…
-
“An Evening Thought: Salvation by Christ, with Penetential Cries” by Jupiter Hammon
Salvation comes by Jesus Christ alone, The only Son of God; Redemption now to every one, That love his holy Word. Dear Jesus we would fly to Thee, And leave off every Sin, Thy Tender Mercy well agree; Salvation from our King.
Stanza & Story 