Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, AT THE CLOSED GATE OF JUSTICE, by JAMES DAVID CORROTHERS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AT THE CLOSED GATE OF JUSTICE, by                     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!




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