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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
AT THE CLOSED GATE OF JUSTICE, by JAMES DAVID CORROTHERS Poet's Biography First Line: To be a negro in a day like this Last Line: "merely a negro"" - in a day like this!" Subject(s): African Americans; Racism; Stock Exchange; Negroes; American Blacks; Racial Prejudice; Bigotry | |||
To be a Negro in a day like this Demands forgiveness. Bruised with blow on blow, Betrayed, like him whose woe-dimmed eyes gave bliss, Still must succor those brought one low, To be a Negro in a day like this. To be a Negro in a day like this Demands rare patience - patience that can wait In utter darkness. 'Tis the path to miss, And knock, unheeded, at an iron gate, To be a Negro in a day like this. To be a Negro in a day like this Demands strange loyalty. We serve a flag Which is to us white freedom's emphasis. Ah! one must love when truth and justice lag, To be a Negro in a day like this. To be a Negro in a day like this - Alas! Lord God, what evil have we done? Still shines the gate, all gold and amethyst, But I pass by, the glorious goal unwon, "Merely a Negro" - in a day like this! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BLACK WOMAN by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON FOREDOOM by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON I MUST BECOME A MENACE TO MY ENEMIES by JUNE JORDAN A SONG FOR SOWETO by JUNE JORDAN ON THE LOSS OF ENERGY (AND OTHER THINGS) by JUNE JORDAN POEM ABOUT POLICE VIOLENCE by JUNE JORDAN DRAFT OF A RAP FOR WEN HO LEE by JUNE JORDAN |
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