Category: Frances E. W. Harper

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,…
19th century, 20th century, American Poetry, Frances E. W. Harper, Uncategorized, United States, women poets

September 24, 2018

“The Slave Mother” by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper (1825 – 1911)

He is not hers, although she bore For him a mother’s pains; He is not hers, although her blood Is coursing through his veins!
19th century, 20th century, African-American, American Poetry, Frances E. W. Harper, Uncategorized, United States, women poets

September 24, 2018

“Eliza Harris” by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper (1825 – 1911)

So fragile and lovely, so fearfully pale, Like a lily that bends to the breath of the gale, Save the heave of her breast, and the sway of her hair, You’d have thought her a statue of fear and despair.
19th century, 20th century, African-American, American Poetry, Frances E. W. Harper, Uncategorized, United States, women poets

September 24, 2018

“Lines” by Francis Ellen Watkins Harper (1825 – 1911)

On his brow he wore a helmet Decked with strange and cruel art; Every jewel was a life-drop Wrung from some poor broken heart.
19th century, 20th century, African-American, American Poetry, Frances E. W. Harper, Uncategorized, women poets

September 24, 2018

“Let the Light Enter” by Francis Ellen Watkins Harper (1825 – 1911)

“Not for greater gifts of genius; Not for thoughts more grandly bright, All the dying poet whispers Is a prayer for light, more light.”
American, American Poetry, Black History, Frances E. W. Harper, Poetry, Uncategorized

February 18, 2018

“Learning to Read” by Frances E. W. Harper (1825 – 1911)

“…I remember Uncle Caldwell, Who took pot liquor fat And greased the pages of his book, And hid it in his hat…”
African-American, American, American Poetry, Frances E. W. Harper, Poetry, Uncategorized

February 14, 2018

“To the Union Savers of Cleveland” by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper *(1824 – 1911)

“…But ye can not stay the whirlwind, When the storm begins to break; And our God doth rise in judgment, For the poor and needy’s sake…”
African-American, Frances E. W. Harper, Poetry, Uncategorized

February 9, 2018

“Bury Me in a Free Land” by Frances E.W. Harper (1825 – 1911)

“… I ask no monument, proud and high, To arrest the gaze of the passers-by; All that my yearning spirit craves, Is bury me not in a land of slaves.”
African-American, American, American Poetry, Black History, Frances E. W. Harper, Poetry, Uncategorized

February 4, 2018

“Sir, We Would See Jesus” by Frances E.W. Harper (1825 – 1911)

“…We would see Jesus; proud and high Temples and domes have met our eye…”
African-American, American, American Poetry, Belief, Christian, Christianity, Faith, Frances E. W. Harper, Religion and Spirituality, United Kingodm

August 4, 2015

“A Grain of Sand” by Frances E. W. Harper

Do you see this grain of sand Lying loosely in my hand? Do you know to me it brought Just a simple loving thought? When one gazes night by night On the glorious stars of light, Oh how little seems the span Measured round the life of man. Oh! how fleeting are his years With…