Category: women poets

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.”
19th century, African-American, Georgia Douglas Johnson, Uncategorized, United States, women poets

September 15, 2018

“Smothered Fires” by Georgia Douglas Johnson (1880 – 1966)

“…Sometimes a baleful light would rise From out the dusky bed,…”
19th century, African-American, American Poetry, Georgia Douglas Johnson, Harlem Renaissance, Uncategorized, United States, women poets

September 14, 2018

“The Measure” by Georgia Douglas Johnson (1880 – 1966)

“The Measure” BY GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON Fierce is the conflict—the battle of eyes, Sure and unerring, the wordless replies, Challenges flash from their ambushing caves— Men, by their glances, are masters or slaves. Source: The Heart of a Woman and Other Poems (The Cornhill Company, 1918)
19th century, African-American, American Poetry, Georgia Douglas Johnson, Uncategorized, women poets

September 13, 2018

“Common Dust” by Georgia Douglas Johnson (1880 – 1966)

“…Can one then separate the dust?   Will mankind lie apart,   When life has settled back again   The same as from the start?”
19th century, African-American, American Poetry, Georgia Douglas Johnson, Harlem Renaissance, Uncategorized, women poets

September 12, 2018

“Black Woman” by Georgia Douglas Johnson (1880 – 1966)

“Black Woman” Georgia Douglas Johnson, 1880 – 1966 Don’t knock at the door, little child, I cannot let you in, You know not what a world this is Of cruelty and sin. Wait in the still eternity Until I come to you, The world is cruel, cruel, child, I cannot let you in! Don’t knock at my heart,…
19th century, African-American, Georgia Douglas Johnson, Harlem Renaissance, Uncategorized, women poets

September 11, 2018

“Foredoom” by Georgia Douglas Johnson (1880 – 1966)

“…Her soul, a bud,—that never bloomed.”
19th century, American Poetry, Hilda Doolittle, Imagist, Uncategorized, United States, women poets

September 10, 2018

“Eurydice” by Hilda “H.D. ” Doolittle (1886 – 1961)

“Eurydice” by Hilda “H.D.” Doolittle I So you have swept me back, I who could have walked with the live souls above the earth, I who could have slept among the live flowers at last; so for your arrogance and your ruthlessness I am swept back where dead lichens drip dead cinders upon moss of…