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Subject: AFRICAN AMERICANS - WOMEN
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UPDATE command denied to user 'poetryex_users'@'localhost' for table `poetryex_poems`.`subcnt` 70'S, by LUCILLE CLIFTON    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Will be the days
Last Line: Having lost some %begun much
Subject(s): Abortion; African Americans - Women


A BRONZEVILLE MOTHER LOITERS IN MISSISSIPPI, by GWENDOLYN BROOKS    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: From the first it had been like a / ballad
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


A DOUBLE STANDARD, by FRANCES ELLEN WATKINS HARPER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Do you blame me that I loved him?
Last Line: In man's cannot be right.
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Hypocrisy


A FUNERAL POEM ON THE DEATH OF C.E., AN INFANT OF 12 MONTHS, by PHILLIS WHEATLEY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Through airy roads he wings his instant flight
Last Line: In pleasures without measure, without end.
Alternate Author Name(s): Peters, Phillis
Variant Title(s): A Poem On The Death Of Charles Eliot, Aged 12 Months
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Death - Children; Love - Loss Of; Mortality; Death - Babies


A MONA LISA, by ANGELINA WELD GRIMKE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I should like to creep
Last Line: In their depths?
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


A PARTING HYMN, by CHARLOTTE L. FORTEN GRIMKE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: When winter's royal robes of white
Last Line: Are blest and freed from every thrall.
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Commencement; Farewell; Graduation; Parting


A WINTER TWILIGHT, by ANGELINA WELD GRIMKE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: A silence slipping around like death
Last Line: One star that I loved ere the fields went brown.
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Evening; Sunset; Twilight


A WOMAN SPEAKS, by AUDRE LORDE    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Moon marked and touched by sun
Alternate Author Name(s): Adisa-warrior, Gamba
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


ACCOUNTING, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Nights too warm for tv
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


ACCOUNTING, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Nights too warm for tv
Last Line: The crawlspace filling up, packed solid %as any foundation
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


ADMONITIONS, by LUCILLE CLIFTON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Boys / I don't promise you nothing
Last Line: She don't have no sense
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


ADMONITIONS, by LUCILLE CLIFTON    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Boys %I don't promise you nothing
Last Line: She is a poet %she don't have no sense
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


ADVICE, by GWENDOLYN B. BENNETT    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: You were a sophist
Last Line: Through the dusk softness %of my dream stuff
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


ADVICE TO YOUNG LADIES, by ANN PLATO    Poem Text                    
First Line: Day after day I sit and write
Last Line: Be ever our desires.
Subject(s): Advice; African Americans - Women; Human Behavior; Religion; Conduct Of Life; Human Nature; Theology


AFRIKAN FLAG, by DEIDRA SUWANEE DEES    Poem Source                    
First Line: When she was a child
Last Line: Making them accept their blame
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Ethnic Identity


AFTER READING BRYANT'S LINE TO A WATERFOWL, by ELOISE BIBB THOMPSON    Poem Source                    
First Line: No forward soul, ambition stung
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


AFTER THE JAPANESE, by MAE V. COWDERY    Poem Source                    
First Line: Night turned over
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


AFTERGLOW, by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Through you, I entered heaven and hell
Last Line: To live it all again!
Alternate Author Name(s): Tremaine, John
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Memory


AIN'T I A WOMAN, by SOJOURNER TRUTH    Poem Source                    
First Line: That man over there say %a woman needs to be helped into carriages
Last Line: Together women ought to be able to turn it rightside up again
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


ALL DAY WE'VE LONGED FOR NIGHT, by SARAH WEBSTER FABIO    Poem Source                    
First Line: In this room, holding hands
Last Line: May hope to be, locked in %our day-long longing for night
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


ALL THINGS INSENSIBLE, by KATHLEEN TANKERSLEY YOUNG    Poem Source                    
First Line: I envy the sleep
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


AMATEUR FIGHTER, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Boxing & Boxers; Fathers; Housekeeping


AMATEUR FIGHTER, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: What's left is the tiny gold glove
Last Line: Holding his body up to pain
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Boxing And Boxers; Fathers; Housekeeping


AMERICAN HISTORY, by MICHAEL S. HARPER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Those four black girls blown up
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


AMERICAN HISTORY, by MICHAEL S. HARPER    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Those four black girls blown up
Last Line: Can't find what you can't see %can you?
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


AMONG THE THINGS THAT USED TO BE, by WILLIE M. COLEMAN    Poem Source                    
First Line: Used to be %ya could learn
Last Line: To ferment %a revolution
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Women's Rights


AN AFTERNOON GOSSIP, by PRISCILLA JANE THOMPSON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Is that you sistah harris?
Last Line: To send abe's hatchet home.
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Gossip


AN APPEAL TO MY COUNTRYWOMEN, by FRANCES ELLEN WATKINS HARPER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: You can sigh o'er the sad-eyed armenian
Last Line: And sin is the consort of woe.
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Southern States; South (u.s.)


AND THE OLD WOMEN GATHERED (THE GOSPEL SINGERS), by MARI E. EVANS    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Last Line: The sound of it %stayed in our ears
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Women


ANGELA DAVIS, by ALICE S. COBB    Poem Source                    
Last Line: In the cause of freedom %the battle is yet to be won
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


ANGELINA, by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: When de fiddle gits to singin' out a ol' vahginny reel
Last Line: When angelina johnson comes a-swingin' down de line.
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


ANNIAD, by GWENDOLYN BROOKS    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Think of sweet and chocolate
Last Line: Kissing in her kitchenette %the minuets of memory
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


ANTIGONE AND OEDIPUS, by HENRIETTA CORDELIA RAY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Slow wand'ring came the sightless sire and she
Last Line: "oh! Let us hope a little ere we die!"
Alternate Author Name(s): Ray, Cordelia
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Mythology - Classical


APPENDIX TO THE ANNIAD: 1 ( THOUSANDS - KILLED IN ACTION ), by GWENDOLYN BROOKS    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: You need the untranslatable ice to watch
Last Line: Why nothing exhausts you like this sympathy
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


APPENDIX TO THE ANNIAD: 2, by GWENDOLYN BROOKS    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The certainty we two shall meet by god
Last Line: Bees in the stomach, sweat across the brow. Now
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


APPENDIX TO THE ANNIAD: 2, by GWENDOLYN BROOKS    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The certainty we two shall meet by god
Last Line: Bees in the stomach, sweat across the brow. Now
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


ARMAGEDDON, by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: In the silence and the dark
Last Line: Even now the dawn appears!
Alternate Author Name(s): Tremaine, John
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women; Negroes; American Blacks


ASANTE SANA, TE TE, by THADIOUS M. DAVIS    Poem Source                    
First Line: Laughing eyes followed
Last Line: And named me maree nage
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


AT APRIL, by ANGELINA WELD GRIMKE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Toss your gay heads
Last Line: At our hearts?
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Gays & Lesbians; Homoeroticism; Lesbians; Gay Women; Gay Men


AT THE CARNIVAL, by ANNE SPENCER    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Gay little girl-of-the-diving-tank
Last Line: I implore neptune to claim his child today!
Alternate Author Name(s): Bannister, Anne Bethel Scales
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women; Carnivals; Negroes; American Blacks


AT THE OWL CLUB, NORTH GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI, 1950, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: What's left is the tiny gold glove hanging from his key chain. But, before that, he had come to boxi
Variant Title(s): At The Owl Club, North Gulfport, Mississippi 1950
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


AT THE OWL CLUB, NORTH GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI, 1950, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Nothing idle here-the men
Last Line: Regal quarts in hand- %it's payday man
Variant Title(s): At The Owl Club, North Gulfport, Mississippi 195
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


AT THE SPRING DAWN, by ANGELINA WELD GRIMKE    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I watched the dawn come
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


AT THE STATION, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY            Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The man, turning, moves away
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


AT THE STATION, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The man, turning, moves away
Last Line: No words. His mind on fire
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


AUNT JANE ALLEN, by FENTON JOHNSON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: State street is lonely today. Aunt jane allen has driven
Last Line: To each of the seed of ethiopia?
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women; Negroes; American Blacks


AUNT JANEY AND MABEL COOK SOUL FOOD, by PHILIP S. BRYANT    Poem Source                    
First Line: Aunt janey
Last Line: Boil and pickle them?' she said.'
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Aunts


AUNT JANEY MEETS SISTER CAUDHILL, by PHILIP S. BRYANT    Poem Source                    
First Line: Aunt janey would buy her hats from sister caudhill, the hat lady, who
Last Line: You at it!'
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Aunts


AUNT JEMIMA, by LUCILLE CLIFTON            Poet Analysis         Recitation by Author     Poet's Biography
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


AUTUMN, by MARJORIE MARSHALL    Poem Source                    
First Line: Mellow sunlight, soothing, warm
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


BABY COBINA, by GLADYS MAY CASELY HAYFORD    Poem Source                    
First Line: Brown baby cobina, with his large black velvet eyes
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


BACK INTO THE GARDEN, by SARAH WEBSTER FABIO    Poem Source                    
First Line: It's a hell
Last Line: Your prize and %genesis
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


BAKER'S BOY, by MARY EFFIE LEE NEWSOME    Poem Source                    
First Line: The baker's boy delivers loaves
Alternate Author Name(s): Newsome, Effie Lee
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


BALLAD FOR PHILLIS WHEATLEY, by MARGARET ABIGAIL WALKER    Poem Source     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Pretty little black girl
Alternate Author Name(s): Walker, Margaret+(1)
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Wheatley, Phillis (1753-1784)


BALLAD OF LADIES LOST AND FOUND, by MARILYN HACKER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Where are the women who, entre deux guerres
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Anthony, Susan Brownell (1820-1906); Blues (music); Bonheur, Rosa (1822-1899); Colette, Sidonie Gabrielle (1873-1954); De La Cruz, Juana Ines (1648-1695); Dickinson, Emily (1830-1886); Doolittle, Hilda (1886-1961); Eleanor Of A


BALLAD OF LADIES LOST AND FOUND, by MARILYN HACKER    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Where are the women who, entre deux guerres
Last Line: And truncated a woman's chronicle, %and plain old margaret fuller died as well
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Anthony, Susan Brownell (1820-1906); Blues (music); Bonheur, Rosa (1822-1899); Colette, Sidonie Gabrielle (1873-1954); De La Cruz, Juana Ines (1648-1695); Dickinson, Emily (1830-1886); Doolittle, Hilda (1886-1961); Eleanor Of A


BALLAD OF THE HOPPY-TOAD, by MARGARET ABIGAIL WALKER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis         Recitation by Author     Poet's Biography
First Line: Ain't been on market street for nothing / with my regular washing load
Alternate Author Name(s): Walker, Margaret+(1)
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


BALLAD OF THE HOPPY-TOAD, by MARGARET ABIGAIL WALKER    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Ain't been on market street for nothing %with my regular washing load
Last Line: O hoppy-toad,' he cried
Alternate Author Name(s): Walker, Margaret+(1)
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


BALLADE DES BELLES MILATRAISSES; NEW ORLEANS, 1840-1850, by ROSALIE M. JONAS    Poem Source                    
First Line: Tis the octoroon ball! And the halls are alight
Last Line: Are these black-hooded ghosts of the dancers we knew %on their knees at last? 'c'est pas zaffaire a
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


BARS FIGHT, AUGUST 28, 1746, by LUCY TERRY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: August 'twas the twenty-fifth
Last Line: Was taken and carried to canada.
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


BEAUTIFUL BLACK WOMEN, by AMIRI BARAKA            Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Beautiful black women, fail, they act. Stop them, raining
Alternate Author Name(s): Jones, Leroi
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


BEAUTIFUL BLACK WOMEN, by AMIRI BARAKA    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Beautiful black women, fail, they act. Stop them, raining
Last Line: Will you let me help you, daughter, wife-lover, will you
Alternate Author Name(s): Jones, Leroi
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


BEAUTIFUL SLAVE, by GIAMBATTISTA MARINI    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Black, yes, but beautiful. Sweet paradox
Last Line: But whose dark eyes shine brighter than your day
Alternate Author Name(s): Marino, Giambattista; Marino, Giovanni Battista
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Beauty; Love - Cultural Differences; Slavery


BEAUTY, by OCTAVIA BEATRICE WYNBUSH    Poem Source                    
First Line: Tis' wondrous strange in what things men find beauty
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


BEER DROPS, by MELBA JOYCE BOYD    Poem Source                    
First Line: Because beer tingles
Last Line: Crushing a dandelion %skull
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


BEFORE I DRESS AND SOAR AGAIN, by DONNA ALLEGRA    Poem Source                    
First Line: I have a question for all the sisters
Last Line: How can your daughters grow?
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Women's Rights


BEFORE THE FEAST OF SHUSHAN, by ANNE SPENCER    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Garden of shushan %after eden, all terrace, pool, and flower recollect thee
Last Line: Love is but desire and thy purpose fulfillment %I, thy king,so say
Alternate Author Name(s): Bannister, Anne Bethel Scales
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


BESSIE, by ALVIN BERNARD AUBERT    Poem Source                    
First Line: My gloriana
Last Line: Of our most common need
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Blues (music); Jazz; Music And Musicians; Singing And Singers; Smith, Bessie (1894-1937)


BESSIE SMITH'S FUNERAL, by ALVIN BERNARD AUBERT    Poem Source                    
First Line: The brief procession
Last Line: Her song is news, begins the dispensation %of the blues
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Blues (music); Funerals; Jazz; Music And Musicians; Singing And Singers; Smith, Bessie (1894-1937)


BILLIE HOLIDAY, by ANNEMARIE EWING    Poem Source                    
First Line: She was known as lady
Last Line: Out of ginger...Hot tar...Pistachio...Gall
Alternate Author Name(s): Towner, John H., Mrs.; Towner, Annemarie Ewing
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Holiday, Billie (1915-1959); Jazz; Music And Musicians; Singing And Singers


BILLIE HOLIDAY, by LAWSON FUSAO INADA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Wouldn't you know it? -- the lady has her name
Last Line: This is the lady's home %she never had
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Holiday, Billie (1915-1959); Jazz; Music And Musicians; Singing And Singers


BILLIE HOLIDAY, by STERLING D. PLUMPP    Poem Source                    
First Line: Feel and hear.
Last Line: Major in kneeling %with my ears
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Holiday, Billie (1915-1959); Jazz; Music And Musicians; Singing And Singers


BILLIE HOLIDAY, by HANS R. VLEK    Poem Source                    
First Line: A woman a lady
Last Line: She knows %sings
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Holiday, Billie (1915-1959); Jazz; Music And Musicians; Singing And Singers


BILLIE IN SILK, by ANGELA JACKSON    Poem Source                    
First Line: I have nothing to say to you, billie holiday
Last Line: My mouth is on fire. Let it burn
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Holiday, Billie (1915-1959); Jazz; Music And Musicians; Popular Culture - United States; Singing And Singers


BILLY DE LYE WAS A RECKLESS GAMBLER, by DEIDRE MCCALLA    Poem Source                    
Last Line: He dropped his gun and I grabbed %for my last chance
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Women's Rights


BIRD IN THE CAGE, by MARY EFFIE LEE NEWSOME    Poem Source                    
First Line: I am not better than my brother over the way
Alternate Author Name(s): Newsome, Effie Lee
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


BIRTH IN A NARROW ROOM, by GWENDOLYN BROOKS    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Weeps out of western country something new
Last Line: And where the bugs buzz by in private cars %across old peach cans and old jelly jars
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Birth


BLACK ARTS, by JAN LEE ANDE    Poem Source                    
First Line: I adore the pitch black nature of life
Last Line: How still the waters are in the dark wine %of the womb
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Art And Artists; Nature; Paintings And Painters


BLACK BABY, by ANITA SCOTT COLEMAN    Poem Source                    
First Line: The baby I hold in my arms is a black baby
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


BLACK BACK-UPS, by KATE RUSHIN    Poem Source                    
First Line: This is dedicated to merry clayton, fontella bass, vonetta
Last Line: Do - do %do
Alternate Author Name(s): Rushin, Donna Kate
Subject(s): African Americans - Song And Music; African Americans - Women; Jazz; Music And Musicians; Popular Culture - United States; Singing And Singers; Women's Rights


BLACK DRAFTEE FROM DIXIE, by CARRIE WILLIAMS CLIFFORD    Poem Source                    
First Line: Upon his dull ear fell the stern command
Last Line: Where from the hell of war he never flinched %because he cried, 'democracy' was lynched
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


BLACK FACES, by ANITA SCOTT COLEMAN    Poem Source                    
First Line: I love black faces
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


BLACK GIRL FULO, by JORGE MATEUS DE LIMA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Now it so happened she came
Last Line: That black girl fulo!
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Brazil; Rape; Slavery


BLACK GODDESS, by KATE RUSHIN    Poem Source                    
First Line: I am not a black goddess
Last Line: Do you know what I mean?
Alternate Author Name(s): Rushin, Donna Kate
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Women's Rights


BLACK MOTHER WOMAN, by AUDRE LORDE    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I cannot recall you gentle
Alternate Author Name(s): Adisa-warrior, Gamba
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Mothers & Daughters; Women


BLACK MOTHER WOMAN, by AUDRE LORDE    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I cannot recall you gentle
Last Line: To define myself %through your denials
Alternate Author Name(s): Adisa-warrior, Gamba
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Mothers And Daughters; Women


BLACK PRIDE, by MARGARET GOSS BURROUGHS    Poem Source                    
First Line: Black pride, black pride, we remember well %how beautiful you used to be
Last Line: Like moses, you will lead our people over %and through
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


BLACK SISTER, by KATTIE M. CUMBO    Poem Source                    
First Line: Black skin against bright green
Last Line: And boy, you have now become a man. So brother, %proclaim the beauty that you see, in your black sis
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


BLACK WOMAN, by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis         Recitation     Poet's Biography
Last Line: I must not give you birth!
Alternate Author Name(s): Tremaine, John
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Racism; Racial Prejudice; Bigotry


BLACK WOMAN, by NAOMI LONG (WITHERSPOON) MADGETT    Poem Text     Poem Explanation                 Poet's Biography
First Line: My hair is springy like the forest grasses
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


BLACK WOMAN, by NAOMI LONG (WITHERSPOON) MADGETT    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
First Line: My hair is springy like the forest grasses
Last Line: Where %are my beautiful %black men?
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


BLACKBERRY SWEET, by DUDLEY RANDALL    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Black girl black girl %lips as curved as cherries
Last Line: The heart in my breast %jump - stop - shake
Variant Title(s): Black Magi
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


BLACKSTONE RANGERS: 3. GANG GIRLS; A RANGERETTE, by GWENDOLYN BROOKS    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Gang girls are sweet exotics
Last Line: The rhymes of leaning
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


BLUE EYE, by JACQUELINE JOHNSON    Poem Source                    
First Line: So many are trying to get what you
Last Line: And raw, unpolished gem of my desire
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Slavery


BLUES ALABAMA, by MICHAEL S. HARPER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: She's blacker
Last Line: A blessing of hatred
Subject(s): African Americans - Song & Music; African Americans - Women


BLUES FOR BESSIE, by MYRON O'HIGGINS    Poem Text                    
First Line: Let de peoples known (unnh) / what they did in dat southern town
Last Line: Wid de blood (lawd) a-streamin' down
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Blues (music); Racism; Singing & Singers; Smith, Bessie (1894-1937); Social Protest; Racial Prejudice; Bigotry


BOSTON YEAR, by ELIZABETH ALEXANDER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis         Recitation by Author     Poet's Biography
First Line: My first week in cambridge a car full of white boys
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Alienation (social Psychology); Americans; Boston; Cambridge, Massachusetts; Dissenters; Exiles; Marginality, Social; United States; Estrangement; Outcasts; America


BOSTON YEAR, by ELIZABETH ALEXANDER    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: My first week in cambridge a car full of white boys
Last Line: No one. Red notes sounding in a grey trolley town
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Alienation (social Psychology); Americans; Boston; Cambridge, Massachusetts; Dissenters; Exiles; Marginality, Social; United States


BOTTLED, by HELENE JOHNSON    Poem Text     Poem Explanation                 Poet's Biography
First Line: Upstairs on the third floor / of the 135th street library / in harlem
Last Line: Gee, that poor shine!
Variant Title(s): Bottled: New York
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


BRONZE LEGACY (TO A BROWN BOY), by MARY EFFIE LEE NEWSOME    Poem Source                    
First Line: Tis a noble gift to be brown, all brown
Alternate Author Name(s): Newsome, Effie Lee
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


BRONZEVILLE MOTHER LOITERS IN MISSISSIPPI, by GWENDOLYN BROOKS    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: From the first it had been like a %ballad
Last Line: The rest of the rugged music. %the last quatrain
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


BRONZEVILLE WOMAN IN A RED HAT, by GWENDOLYN BROOKS    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: They had never had one in the house before
Last Line: Child, big black woman, pretty kitchen towels
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Household Employees; Servants; Domestics; Maids


BRONZEVILLE WOMAN IN A RED HAT, by GWENDOLYN BROOKS    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: They had never had one in the house before
Last Line: Child, big black woman, pretty kitchen towels
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Household Employees


BROTHER BAPTIS' ON WOMAN SUFFRAGE, by ROSALIE M. JONAS    Poem Source                    
First Line: When hit come ter de question er de female vote
Last Line: Case de tears er de mudder, nur de sign, er da cross %ain't shame all de debbil yit, outen de boss!
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


BROWN AESTHETE SPEAKS, by MAE V. COWDERY    Poem Source                    
First Line: No: I am neither seeking to change nor keep myself
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


CALEDONIA, by COLLEEN JOHNSON MCELROY    Poem Source                    
First Line: The way I hear tell aunt jennie
Last Line: Until I've learned that love, like hate %is always acted out
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


CALL IN THE MIDST OF THE CROWD: APRIL. BILLIE'S BLUES, by ALFRED DEWITT CORN    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Their red lamps make a childlike stab
Last Line: Him. Sounds universal to me
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Holiday, Billie (1915-1959); Jazz; Music And Musicians; New York City; Singing And Singers


CALLING DREAMS, by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The right to make my dreams come true
Last Line: And stride into the morning-break!
Alternate Author Name(s): Tremaine, John
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women; Dreams; Negroes; American Blacks; Nightmares


CAMEO, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY            Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: As a child, I would awaken dark mornings
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


CAMEO, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: As a child, I would awaken dark mornings
Last Line: Of her throat, hard enough to bruise.
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


CANARY, by RITA DOVE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis         Recitation by Author     Poet's Biography
First Line: Billie holiday's burned voice
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Drugs & Drug Abuse; Holiday, Billie (1915-1959); Jazz; Music & Musicians; Singing & Singers; Narcotics; Opium; Cocaine; Crack; Heroin; Songs


CANARY, by RITA DOVE    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Billie holiday's burned voice
Last Line: If you can't be free, be a mystery
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Drugs And Drug Abuse; Holiday, Billie (1915-1959); Jazz; Music And Musicians; Singing And Singers


CAPE COAST CASTLE REVISITED, by JO ANN HALL-EVANS    Poem Source                    
First Line: Though you are a continent and two seasons away
Last Line: To face the still shackling ways of this strange, distant land
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


CARPENTER BEE, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: All winter long I have passed
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


CARPENTER BEE, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: All winter long I have passed
Last Line: Each in its separate cell-snug, ordered, certain
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


CARRY ME BACK TO OLD VIRGINNY', by ELMA EHRLICH LEVINGER    Poem Source                    
First Line: That's right: keep on singing, 'carry me back to old virginny'
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


CEREMONY, by KATTIE M. CUMBO    Poem Source                    
First Line: At the ceremony of emobo
Last Line: As muslims in the north %fast for ramadan %I wait for the new year
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


CEREMONY, by JOHARI M. KUNJUFU    Poem Source                    
First Line: Libation %hey sisters, we the color of our men
Last Line: We the %libation
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


CHAIN, by AUDRE LORDE    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Faces surround me that have no smell or color no time
Last Line: How do I learn to love her %as you have loved me?
Alternate Author Name(s): Adisa-warrior, Gamba
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Child Molesting; Incest


CHALK-DUST, by LILLIAN BYRNES    Poem Source                    
First Line: I am tired of chalk-dust
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


CHILD OF MYSELF, by PATRICIA PARKER    Poem Source                    
First Line: From cavities of bones
Last Line: The child of myself
Alternate Author Name(s): Parker, Pat
Subject(s): African American Lesbians; African Americans - Women; Homosexuality


CINDERELLA, by RUBY C. SAUNDERS    Poem Source                    
First Line: I will be patient while my lord
Last Line: All praises are due to allah for the lamb
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Sin


CLASS ROOM, by VIRGINIA A. HOUSTON    Poem Source                    
First Line: Behind him a picture
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


COAL, by AUDRE LORDE    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I / is the total black, being spoken / from the earth's inside
Alternate Author Name(s): Adisa-warrior, Gamba
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Language; Words; Vocabulary


COAL, by AUDRE LORDE    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I %is the total black, being spoken %from the earth's inside
Last Line: Now take my word for jewel in the open light
Alternate Author Name(s): Adisa-warrior, Gamba
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Language


COLLECTION DAY, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Saturday morning, motown / forty-fives and thick seventy-eights
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Baby Boom Generation; Housekeeping; Women


COLLECTION DAY, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Saturday morning, motown %forty-fives and thick seventy-eights
Last Line: Something to last: patch of earth, %view of sky
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Baby Boom Generation; Housekeeping; Women


COMET, by EMIL MAKAI    Poem Source                    
First Line: Cast out, amid so many companions
Last Line: And nobody is left behind %and there is no goal to reach
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Comets; Women's Rights


COMING OF KALI, by LUCILLE CLIFTON    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: It is the black god, kali
Last Line: She knows I know them well. %she knows. She knows
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


COSMOPOLITE, by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Not wholly this or that
Last Line: Contains me.
Alternate Author Name(s): Tremaine, John
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


CREED, by ANNE SPENCER    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
First Line: If my garden oak spares one bare ledge
Last Line: I may challenge god when we meet that day, %and he dare not be silent or send me away
Alternate Author Name(s): Bannister, Anne Bethel Scales
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


CROWDED OUT, by ROSALIE M. JONAS    Poem Source                    
First Line: Nobody ain't christmas shoppin'
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women; Christmas


CRUELTY, by STEPHEN ORLEN    Poem Text                    
First Line: Because we were all sweaty
Alternate Author Name(s): Orlen, Steve
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Cruelty; Death; Drugs & Drug Abuse; Impotence; Dead, The


DABNEY'S WIFE; SPRING 1863, by JOANNE LOWERY    Poem Source                    
First Line: It was all their idea, not hooker's
Last Line: And rinsed and did not miss a thing
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; American Civil War; Blood; Slavery; Soldiers; U.s. - History; War Injuries; Women And War


DAMNED, by TOI DERRICOTTE    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The drawers of my mother's bedroom
Last Line: Though it is not clear %if either of us can be saved
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Women's Rights


DANCING GIRL, by FRANK MARSHALL DAVIS    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Black and tan - yeah, black and tan
Last Line: Is this what your belly craves?
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Dancing & Dancers


DANCING GIRL, by FRANK MARSHALL DAVIS    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Black and tan - yeah, black and tan
Last Line: Drenched in the jazz of a swingtime band %is this what your belly craves?
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Dancing And Dancers


DARK ACTRESS - SOMEWHERE, by BLANCHE TAYLOR DICKINSON    Poem Source                    
First Line: They watched her glide across the stage
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


DARK DREAMING, by DOROTHY KRUGER    Poem Source                    
First Line: Arrows of rain
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


DARK PHASES OF WOMANHOOD', by NTOZAKE SHANGE    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Last Line: That you like the best %you're it
Alternate Author Name(s): Williams, Paulette
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


DARK TESTAMENT, by PAULI MURRAY    Poem Source                    
First Line: Freedom is a dream
Last Line: Friend and brother to every other man
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


DAT GAL O' MINE, by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Skin as black an' jes as sof' as a velvet dress
Last Line: O' mine.
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Love; Religion; Sabbath; Theology; Sunday


DAUFUSKIE (FOUR MOVEMENTS), by MARI E. EVANS    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Ebb %with the flow
Last Line: Be %unbroken
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


DAWN, by ANGELINA WELD GRIMKE    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Grey trees, grey skies, and not a star
Last Line: A hermit-thrush
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


DAWN OF LOVE, by HENRIETTA CORDELIA RAY    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Within my casement came one night
Last Line: And on my lips there fell a kiss - %speak! Fairy moon, interpret this!
Alternate Author Name(s): Ray, Cordelia
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


DAY'S CATCH, by JACQUELINE JOHNSON    Poem Source                    
First Line: I remember you back
Last Line: The truth of our hands
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Love; Memory


DEACON MORGAN, by NAOMI LONG (WITHERSPOON) MADGETT    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
First Line: His artificial feet calumped in holy rhythm
Last Line: Was welcome still in the abundant household %of a loving father
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


DEBRA, by MICHELLE T. CLINTON    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Debra and I are different. Fundamentally different
Last Line: Sometimes it got tah eb dat way
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Women's Rights


DECEMBER PORTRAIT, by KATHLEEN TANKERSLEY YOUNG    Poem Source                    
First Line: She now retraces her steps once more
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


DELTA, by JACQUELINE JOHNSON    Poem Source                    
First Line: Alabama harmattan calling me
Last Line: We are blown down to the nines
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Freedom; Singing And Singers


DELY, by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Jes' lak toddy wahms you thoo
Last Line: Dat's enuff 'uligion.
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Beauty


DESIRE, by MARJORIE MARSHALL    Poem Source                    
First Line: I would be one with the morning
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


DOMESTIC WORK, 1937, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: All week she's cleaned
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


DOMESTIC WORK, 1937, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: All week she's cleaned
Last Line: A wish for something better
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


DOMESTICS, by KATTIE M. CUMBO    Poem Source                    
First Line: Damit blackman %what are you going to
Last Line: From the kitchen of %the jew?
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


DOUBLE TAKE AT RELAIS DE L'ESPADON, by THADIOUS M. DAVIS    Poem Source                    
First Line: On the ile de goree, m. Diop elegant
Last Line: Is he the father I might have had %is he the son who shackled my father and me
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


DRAPERY FACTORY, GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI, 1956, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: She made the trip daily, though
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


DRAPERY FACTORY, GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI, 1956, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: She made the trip daily, though
Last Line: On one white man's face, his hand %deep in knowledge
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


DREAM SONGS: 68, by JOHN BERRYMAN    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I heard, could be, a hey there from the wing
Last Line: Black to the birds again
Alternate Author Name(s): Smith, John, Jr.
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Blues (music); Jazz; Music And Musicians; Singing And Singers; Smith, Bessie (1894-1937)


DRIVING STORY; MYTH STORY AND LIFE, by SHERLEY ANNE WILLIAMS    Poem Source                    
First Line: The darkened bedroom, the double bed
Last Line: History is them; it is also theirs to make
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


DUSK, by MAE V. COWDERY    Poem Source                    
First Line: Like you %letting down your purple-shadowed hair
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


DUSK, by ANGELINA WELD GRIMKE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Twin stars through my purpling pane
Last Line: And the dusk.
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Dusk


EARLY EVENING, FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis         Recitation by Author     Poet's Biography
First Line: It is 1965. I am not yet born, only
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


EARLY EVENING, FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: It is 1965. I am not yet born, only
Last Line: Dead center of her life
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


EARLY LOSSES: A REQUIEM. PART 1, by ALICE WALKER    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Nyanu was appointed %as my lord. The husband chosen
Last Line: The sound itself is all
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


EARLY LOSSES: A REQUIEM. PART 2. THE CHILD, by ALICE WALKER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: A sound like a small wind
Last Line: The sound itself is all
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


EARLY LOSSES: A REQUIEM. PART 2. THE CHILD, by ALICE WALKER    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: A sound like a small wind
Last Line: Her only treasure %and never spent
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


ECSTASY, by VIRGINIA A. HOUSTON    Poem Source                    
First Line: Even here, dwelling in the chaos
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


EL BESO, by ANGELINA WELD GRIMKE    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Twilight - and you
Last Line: And again, quiet -- the stars, %twilight -- and you
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


ELIZABETH KECKLEY: 30 YEARS A SLAVE AND 4 YEARS IN THE WHITE HOUSE, by E. ETHELBERT MILLER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Tall man lincoln looking out the windows
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Slavery; Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865); Serfs


EMPRESS BRAND TRIM: RUBY REMINISCENCES, by SHERLEY ANNE WILLIAMS    Poem Source                    
First Line: He was still uncle
Last Line: And they always did
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


EPITOME, by RUTH G. DIXON    Poem Source                    
First Line: Emerges now a hero new
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


ESCAPE, by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Shadows, shadows
Last Line: Profound.
Alternate Author Name(s): Tremaine, John
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Shadows


ETHIOPIA SALUTING THE COLORS, by WALT WHITMAN    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Who are you dusky woman, so ancient hardly human
Last Line: Are the things so strange and marvellous you see or have seen?
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; American Civil War; Georgia (state); Sherman, William Tecumseh (1820-1891); United States - History


EURYDICE, by JOHN UPDIKE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Negress serene though underground
Last Line: Tugged northward into night
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


EURYDICE, by JOHN UPDIKE    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Negress serene though underground
Last Line: You gone, negress serene, %tugged northward into night
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


EVERYBODY BUT ME, by MARGARET GOSS BURROUGHS    Poem Source                    
First Line: You say you believe in democracy for everybody
Last Line: It will mean me
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


EXITS AND ENTRANCES, by NAOMI LONG (WITHERSPOON) MADGETT    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Through random doors we wandered
Last Line: But armed with the invincible sword and shield %of our own names and faces
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Identity


EXODUS, by MARY EFFIE LEE NEWSOME    Poem Source                    
First Line: Rank fennel and broom
Alternate Author Name(s): Newsome, Effie Lee
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


EXPECTANT, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Nights are hardest, the swelling
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


EXPECTANT, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Nights are hardest, the swelling
Last Line: Carrying her, slightly swaying home
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


EXPOSITION OF THE CONTENTS OF A CAB, by WALLACE STEVENS    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Victoria clementina, negress
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Taxis


EXPOSITION OF THE CONTENTS OF A CAB, by WALLACE STEVENS    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Victoria clementina, negress
Last Line: Except linen, embroidered %by elderly women?
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Taxis


EXULTATION, by MAE V. COWDERY    Poem Source                    
First Line: O day! %with sun glowing
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


FAMILY PORTRAIT, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY            Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Before the picture man comes
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


FAMILY PORTRAIT, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Before the picture man comes
Last Line: As-years later-I'd itch for what's not there
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


FANCIES, by OLIVA WARD BUSH    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Mid parted clouds, all silver-edged
Last Line: And life's strange tale is told.
Alternate Author Name(s): Bush-banks, Oliva Ward
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


FANTASY, by GWENDOLYN B. BENNETT    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I sailed in my dreams to the land of night
Last Line: And whistled a song to the dark-haired queen
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


FAR MEMORY: 3. AGAIN, by LUCILLE CLIFTON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Born in the year of war
Last Line: Of another life.
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; War


FAREWELL, by MAE V. COWDERY    Poem Source                    
First Line: No more %the fell of your hand
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


FILLMO'E STREET WOMAN, by DEVORAH MAJOR    Poem Source                    
First Line: She is a dark woman
Last Line: Was black and fierce %like her
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Politics


FLOUNDER, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Here, she said, put this on your head
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


FLOUNDER, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Here, she said, put this on your head
Last Line: I stood there watching that fish flip-flop, %switch sides with every jump
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


FOR A GODCHILD, REGINA, ON THE OCCASION OF HER FIRST LOVE, by TOI DERRICOTTE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Blood sister / our fingers join beneath the veins
Last Line: & walk under the cool trees
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Women's Rights; Feminism


FOR A GODCHILD, REGINA, ON THE OCCASION OF HER FIRST LOVE, by TOI DERRICOTTE    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Blood sister %our fingers join beneath the veins
Last Line: We will climb as on a swing %& walk under the cool trees
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Women's Rights


FOR BILLIE HOLIDAY, by KEORAPETSE KGOSITSILE    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Lady day, lady day
Alternate Author Name(s): Kgositsile, Keropatse
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Holiday, Billie (1915-1959); Jazz; Music And Musicians; Singing And Singers


FOR GWEN, 1969, by MARGARET ABIGAIL WALKER    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The slender, shy, and sensitive young girl
Last Line: In their footsteps pulsate daily %all her black words of fire and blood
Alternate Author Name(s): Walker, Margaret+(1)
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


FOR M.W., by JEAN TOOMER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: There is no transcience of twilight in
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Beauty


FOR MARY MCLEOD BETHUNE, by MARGARET ABIGAIL WALKER    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Great amazon of god behold your bread
Alternate Author Name(s): Walker, Margaret+(1)
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Bethune, Mary Mcleod (1875-1955); Teaching And Teachers


FOR STRONG WOMEN, by MICHELLE T. CLINTON    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Listen %sometimes, when you have innocently & mistakenly overlooked your needs
Last Line: As though none of it could ever happen %ever
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Women's Rights


FOR THE CANDLE LIGHT, by ANGELINA WELD GRIMKE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The sky was blue, so blue that day
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


FOR THE CANDLE LIGHT, by ANGELINA WELD GRIMKE    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The sky was blue, so blue that day
Last Line: I have in a book for the candle light %a daisy dead and dry
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


FOR THE RECORD; IN MEMORY OF ELEANOR BUMPURS, by AUDRE LORDE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Call out the colored girls
Alternate Author Name(s): Adisa-warrior, Gamba
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Alienation (social Psychology); Bumpurs, Eleanor; Exiles; Labor & Laborers; Violence; Estrangement; Outcasts; Work; Workers


FOR THE RECORD; IN MEMORY OF ELEANOR BUMPURS, by AUDRE LORDE    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Call out the colored girls
Last Line: Planning their return %and they weren't even %sisters
Alternate Author Name(s): Adisa-warrior, Gamba
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Alienation (social Psychology); Bumpurs, Eleanor; Exiles; Labor And Laborers; Violence


FOREDOOM, by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Her life was dwarfed, and wed to blight
Last Line: Her soul, a bud,—that never bloomed
Alternate Author Name(s): Tremaine, John
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Racism; Racial Prejudice; Bigotry


FOUR WALLS, by BLANCHE TAYLOR DICKINSON    Poem Source                    
First Line: Four great walls have hemmed me in
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


FRAGMENT, by JESSIE REDMOND FAUSET    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The breath of life imbued those few dim days
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


FRAGMENT, by ANGELINA WELD GRIMKE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I am the woman with the black black skin
Last Line: I am the laughing woman who's afraid to sleep.
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Fear


FRANK ALBERT & VIOLA BENZENA OWENS, by NTOZAKE SHANGE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: She waited on the 7th floor
Alternate Author Name(s): Williams, Paulette
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


FRANK ALBERT & VIOLA BENZENA OWENS, by NTOZAKE SHANGE    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: She waited on the 7th floor
Last Line: The carpenter tendin to his own %movin north
Alternate Author Name(s): Williams, Paulette
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


FREEDOM SONG FOR THE BLACK WOMAN, by CAROLE CLEMMONS GREGORY    Poem Source                    
First Line: For the woman %african in ancestry
Last Line: We are the strong women
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA, by JUNE JORDAN    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Natural order is being restored
Last Line: Exploding like the seeds of a natural disorder
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Women's Rights; Feminism


FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA, by JUNE JORDAN    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Natural order is being restored
Last Line: Exploding like the seeds of a ntaural disorder
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Women's Rights


FULFILLMENT, by HELENE JOHNSON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: To climb a hill that hungers for the sky
Last Line: And to die bleeding -- consummate with life.
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women; Negroes; American Blacks


FUNKY FOOTBALL, by RUBY C. SAUNDERS    Poem Source                    
First Line: The 'kat' can play ball, man
Last Line: They can't win
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


GATHERING, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY            Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Through tall grass heavy / from rain, my aunt and I wade
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


GATHERING, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Through tall grass heavy %from rain, my aunt and I wade
Last Line: Handpicked days in memory, %our minds' dark pantry
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


GENERATION GAP, by RUBY C. SAUNDERS    Poem Source                    
First Line: I takes up for my colored man
Last Line: Bent low to pay your dues
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


GERARDA, by ELOISE BIBB THOMPSON    Poem Source                    
First Line: The day is o'er and twilight's shade
Last Line: For all my life, I'll share with thee
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


GESTURE OF A WOMAN-IN-PROCESS, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY            Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: In the foreground, two women / their squinting faces
Variant Title(s): Gesture Of A Woman In Process
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


GESTURE OF A WOMAN-IN-PROCESS, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: In the foreground, two women %their squinting faces
Last Line: The white blur of her apron %still in motion
Variant Title(s): Gesture Of A Woman In Proces
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


GET IT, BRING IT, AND PUT IT RIGHT HERE, SELS, by ELIZABETH SMITH    Poem Source                    
First Line: I've had a man for fifteen years
Last Line: Or else he's gonna keep it out there
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Women's Rights


GIFT FROM KENYA, by MAY MILLER    Poem Source         Poet Analysis            
First Line: I've come back many times today
Last Line: However wound in death
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


GIRL, by JAMES LANGSTON HUGHES    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: She lived in sinful happiness
Last Line: To laugh in sunshine %and dance in rain
Alternate Author Name(s): Hughes, Langston
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


GIVE AND TAKE, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY            Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I come here once a month to dig
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


GIVE AND TAKE, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I come here once a month to dig
Last Line: Waist of your panties, even %the corners of your mouth
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


GOD IS KIND, by MAE V. COWDERY    Poem Source                    
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


GOING HOME, by JACQUELINE JOHNSON    Poem Source                    
First Line: Everyday you were dying
Last Line: Be, flying straight right out of here
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Courage; Survival


GRAPES: STILL LIFE, by ANNE SPENCER    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Snugly you rest, sweet globes
Alternate Author Name(s): Bannister, Anne Bethel Scales
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


GRASS FINGERS, by ANGELINA WELD GRIMKE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Touch me, touch me
Last Line: With your tiny, timorous toes.
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women; Grass; Negroes; American Blacks


GREATER FRIENDSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH, by CAROLE CLEMMONS GREGORY    Poem Source                    
First Line: Mothers %cranking the machine
Last Line: Another scoop of ice cream %our smiles receive
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


GRINDING VIBRATO, by JAYNE CORTEZ    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Blues woman
Last Line: Is it too late for the mother tongue in your womanself to %insurrect
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


HARLEM SHADOWS, by CLAUDE MCKAY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I hear the halting footsteps of a lass
Last Line: In harlem wandering from street to street.
Alternate Author Name(s): Edwards, Eli
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Harlem (new York City); Poverty; Prostitution; Harlots; Whores; Brothels


HARLEM SWEETIES, by JAMES LANGSTON HUGHES    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Have yhou dug the spill
Last Line: Delicious, fine sugar hill
Alternate Author Name(s): Hughes, Langston
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Harlem (new York City)


HARRIET, by LUCILLE CLIFTON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Harriet / if I be you
Last Line: Love my children and / wait
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


HARRIET, by LUCILLE CLIFTON    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Harriet %if I be you
Last Line: Love my children and %wait
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


HARRIET, by AUDRE LORDE    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Harriet there was always somebody calling us crazy
Last Line: What name shall we call our selves now %our mother is gone?
Alternate Author Name(s): Adisa-warrior, Gamba
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


HARRIET TUBMAN, by MARGARET ABIGAIL WALKER    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Dark is the face of harriet
Last Line: Come along ten million strong
Alternate Author Name(s): Walker, Margaret+(1)
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Tubman, Harriet (1820-1913)


HAVING HAD YOU, by MAE V. COWDERY    Poem Source                    
First Line: Having had you once
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


HER STORY, by NAOMI LONG (WITHERSPOON) MADGETT    Poem Text     Poem Explanation                 Poet's Biography
First Line: They gave me the wrong name, in the first place
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women; Negroes; American Blacks


HER STORY, by NAOMI LONG (WITHERSPOON) MADGETT    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
First Line: They gave me the wrong name, in the first place
Last Line: Next time I'll try a gun
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


HERITAGE, by GWENDOLYN B. BENNETT    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I want to see the slim palm-trees
Last Line: Hidden by a minstrel-smile.
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women; Negroes; American Blacks


HERITAGE, by MAE V. COWDERY    Poem Source                    
First Line: It is a blessed heritage
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


HESTER'S SONG, by TOI DERRICOTTE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I rode you piggy back
Last Line: Ever to come of alchemy
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Women's Rights; Feminism


HESTER'S SONG, by TOI DERRICOTTE    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I rode you piggy back
Last Line: You are the one gold %ever to come of alchemy
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Women's Rights


HIS ANSWER, by CLARA ANN THOMPSON    Poem Source                    
First Line: He prayed for patientce; care and sorrow came
Last Line: His heart had learned, through weariness and care %the patience, that he deemed he'd sought in vain
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


HIS HANDS, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY            Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Will never be large enough
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


HIS HANDS, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Will never be large enough
Last Line: Whatever his hands will give
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


HISTORY LESSON, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis         Recitation by Author     Poet's Biography
First Line: I am four in this photograph standing
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


HISTORY LESSON, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I am four in this photograph standing
Last Line: Of a cotton meal-sack dress
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


HOMAGE TO MY HAIR, by LUCILLE CLIFTON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: When I feel her jump up and dance
Last Line: The blacker she do be! 
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


HOMAGE TO MY HAIR, by LUCILLE CLIFTON    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: When I feel her jump up and dance
Last Line: The grayer she do get, good god, %the blacker she do be!
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


HOMAGE TO THE EMPRESS OF THE BLUES, by ROBERT EARL HAYDEN    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Because there was a man somewhere in a candystripe silk shirt
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women; Blues (music); Jazz; Music & Musicians; Singing & Singers; Smith, Bessie (1894-1937); Negroes; American Blacks; Songs


HOMAGE TO THE EMPRESS OF THE BLUES, by ROBERT EARL HAYDEN    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Because there was a man somewhere in a candystripe silk shirt
Last Line: And shone that smile on us and sang
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women; Blues (music); Jazz; Music And Musicians; Singing And Singers; Smith, Bessie (1894-1937)


HONEYSUCKLE WAS THE SADDEST ODOR OF ALL, I THINK', by THADIOUS M. DAVIS    Poem Source                    
First Line: I wanted to be a nature poet
Last Line: Remnants of %my poetic eye
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Nature


HOODOO MOMA, by LUISAH TEISH    Poem Source                    
First Line: Wooden stairs scrubbed with red brick
Last Line: There's prophesy in the %bark of a dog
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Women's Rights


HOT COMBS, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY            Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: At the junk shop, I find an old pair
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


HOT COMBS, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: At the junk shop, I find an old pair
Last Line: Her face made strangely beautiful %as only suffering can do
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


HOUSE OF DESIRE, by SHERLEY ANNE WILLIAMS    Poem Source                    
First Line: This is really the story of a %sista who was very too-ga-tha
Last Line: Then - would he leave me so much on my own %to cry and get scared?
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Women


HOUSEKEEPING, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY            Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: We mourn the broken things, chair legs
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


HOUSEKEEPING, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: We mourn the broken things, chair legs
Last Line: For the mail, some news from a distant place
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


HOW WILL YOU CALL ME, BROTHER, by MARI E. EVANS    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Last Line: Have you armed your children?
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


HUNGER, by KATHLEEN TANKERSLEY YOUNG    Poem Source                    
First Line: Your body is a dark wine
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


HUSH, HONEY, by RUBY C. SAUNDERS    Poem Source                    
First Line: Hush! Yo' mouth %it is time to be quiet
Last Line: All praises are due to allah for the lamb
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


HYMN FOR LANIE POO, by AMIRI BARAKA    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: O / these wild trees
Last Line: For that mayyer, by god
Alternate Author Name(s): Jones, Leroi
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Racism; Sisters; Racial Prejudice; Bigotry


HYMN FOR LANIE POO, by AMIRI BARAKA    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: O %these wild trees
Last Line: Benevolent step %mother america
Alternate Author Name(s): Jones, Leroi
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Racism; Sisters


I AM A BLACK WOMAN, by MARI E. EVANS    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Last Line: Look %on me and be %renewed
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Alphabet Verse


I DONE GO SO THIRSTY THAT MY MOUTH WATERS, by PATRICIA SPEARS JONES    Poem Source                    
Last Line: On the sidewalk like flooded houses %wasted of time and touch
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


I FOLLOWED A PATH, by PATRICIA PARKER    Poem Source                    
Last Line: For one moment, %I chased the lines away
Alternate Author Name(s): Parker, Pat
Subject(s): African American Lesbians; African Americans - Women; Homosexuality


I SIT AND SEW, by ALICE RUTH MOORE DUNBAR-NELSON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I sit and sew - a useless task it seems
Last Line: It stifles me -- god, must I sit and sew?
Alternate Author Name(s): Nelson, Alice Dunbar (moore)
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Americans; Sewing; United States; War; America


I SIT AND WAIT FOR BEAUTY; TO JOHN LOVELL, by MAE V. COWDERY    Poem Source                    
First Line: Long have I yearned and sought for beauty
Last Line: She will ever hide her face %and elude my grasping hand
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


I USED TO THINK / I CAN'T BE A POET, by CHIRLANE MCCRAY    Poem Source                    
Last Line: That pretty is the woman in darkness %who flowers with loving
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Women's Rights


I WAS BORN WITH TWELVE FINGERS, by LUCILLE CLIFTON    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Last Line: My dead mother my live daughter and me %through our terrible shadowy hands
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Mothers And Daughters


I WEEP, by ANGELINA WELD GRIMKE    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


I'M A DREAMER, by KATTIE M. CUMBO    Poem Source                    
First Line: I dream of serenity
Last Line: One who sleeps %away reality
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


I, WOMAN, by IRMA MCCLAURIN    Poem Source                    
First Line: And I, woman, cloaked in blues
Last Line: I swear I hear those sisters still humming
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


IDYL: SUNRISE, by HENRIETTA CORDELIA RAY    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Down in the dell
Last Line: He cometh, so I wait
Alternate Author Name(s): Ray, Cordelia
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


IDYL: SUNSET, by HENRIETTA CORDELIA RAY    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
First Line: In western skies %rare radiance lies
Last Line: Does it not seem %that love can all control?
Alternate Author Name(s): Ray, Cordelia
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


IF I MUST KNOW, by MAE V. COWDERY    Poem Source                    
First Line: If I must know sorrow
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


IF MAMA, by LUCILLE CLIFTON    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Last Line: Good girl %clean up your room
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Mothers And Daughters


IF YOU SAW A NEGRO LADY, by JUNE JORDAN    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Last Line: Into surprise observing %happy birthday
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


IN THE MORNING, by JAYNE CORTEZ    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Disguised in my mouth as a swampland
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


INNOCENCE, by ANNE SPENCER    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: She tripped and fell against a star
Last Line: Twas a star-lance in her side!
Alternate Author Name(s): Bannister, Anne Bethel Scales
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Innocence


INQUIETUDE, by PAULI MURRAY    Poem Source                    
First Line: Blue is this night of stars
Last Line: I sink and let the silver tide %engulf me
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


INSATIATE, by MAE V. COWDERY    Poem Source                    
First Line: If my love were meat and bread
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


INSULTED, by PRISCILLA JANE THOMPSON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: My mamma is a mean old sing
Last Line: I'm doeing way, an' hide.
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


INTERIM, by CLARISSA SCOTT DELANY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The night was made for rest and sleep
Last Line: And not afraid to dare.
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


INTERLUDE, by MAE V. COWDERY    Poem Source                    
First Line: I like this quiet place
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women; Sanctuaries


INTERPRETATION OF A POEM BY FROST, by THYLIAS MOSS    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: A young black girl stopped by the woods
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Frost, Robert (1874-1963); Poetry & Poets


INTERPRETATION OF A POEM BY FROST, by THYLIAS MOSS    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: A young black girl stopped by the woods
Last Line: Before she sleeps with jim
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Frost, Robert (1874-1963); Poetry And Poets


INVOCATION, by HELENE JOHNSON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Let me be buried in the rain
Last Line: Grow high above my head.
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women; Negroes; American Blacks


IT'S ALL THE SAME, by THADIOUS M. DAVIS    Poem Source                    
First Line: My grandmamma %don't believe they walked in space
Last Line: Tell the gospel truth, rev
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


JAKE IS THE BEST DAMN CAP'N IN THE WORLD, by MARI E. EVANS    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


JANIS, by MARI E. EVANS    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Sand evy'where over
Last Line: She' glad
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


JANUARY AFTERNOON, WITH BILLIE HOLIDAY, by LISEL MUELLER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Her voice shifts as if it were light
Alternate Author Name(s): Muller, Lisel
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Holiday, Billie (1915-1959); Jazz; Music & Musicians; Singing & Singers; Songs


JANUARY AFTERNOON, WITH BILLIE HOLIDAY, by LISEL MUELLER    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Her voice shifts as if it were light
Last Line: Tomorrow is something she remembers
Alternate Author Name(s): Muller, Lisel
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Holiday, Billie (1915-1959); Jazz; Music And Musicians; Singing And Singers


JESUS WAS CRUCIFIED OR: IT MUST BE DEEP (AN EPIC POEM), by CAROLYN M. RODGERS    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I was sick
Last Line: Catch yuh later on jesus, I mean motha! %it must be %deeeeep
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


JOURNAL: PART 4. 3-17-70, by GAYL JONES    Poem Source                    
First Line: She said the jehovah witness man
Last Line: They're all crooked
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


JOY, by CLARISSA SCOTT DELANY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Joy shakes me like the wind that lifts a sail
Last Line: Bewildered.
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


JUNE SONG, SELS., by CHARLOTTE L. FORTEN GRIMKE    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: How shall we crown her bright young head?
Last Line: Shall ne'er be seen %than our lovely, laughing june
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


KISS REQUESTED, by EDA LOU WALTON    Poem Source                    
First Line: Kiss me good night
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


KISSIE LEE, by MARGARET ABIGAIL WALKER    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Toughest gal I ever did see
Last Line: And she died with her boots on switching blades %on talladega mountain in the likker raids
Alternate Author Name(s): Walker, Margaret+(1)
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Revenge


KNOWING, by JACQUELINE JOHNSON    Poem Source                    
First Line: We furthest away from our african mother
Last Line: Our differences are our blessings
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Culture Conflict; Ethnic Identity; Women


LADY'S DAYS, by LARRY NEAL    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
First Line: More song. Birds follow the sun
Last Line: Reason for towns, faces, moans ...
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Holiday, Billie (1915-1959); Jazz; Music And Musicians; Singing And Singers


LADY, LADY, by ANNE SPENCER    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Lady, lady, I saw your face
Last Line: Where the good god sits to spangle through.
Alternate Author Name(s): Bannister, Anne Bethel Scales
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


LANE IS THE PRETTY ONE, by LUCILLE CLIFTON    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Her veins run mogen david
Last Line: Love %dear sister
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Sisters


LAST AFFAIR: BESSIE'S BLUES SONG, by MICHAEL S. HARPER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Disarticulated / arm torn out
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Blues (music); Singing & Singers; Smith, Bessie (1894-1937); Songs


LAST AFFAIR: BESSIE'S BLUES SONG, by MICHAEL S. HARPER    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Disarticulated %arm torn out
Last Line: I'm not the same as I used to be %this is my last affair
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Blues (music); Singing And Singers; Smith, Bessie (1894-1937)


LAST NIGHT, by ETHEL M. CAUTION    Poem Source                    
First Line: Last night I danced on the rim of the moon
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


LAST NOTE TO MY GIRLS, by LUCILLE CLIFTON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: My girls / my girls
Last Line: My girls my more than me
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Girls


LAST NOTE TO MY GIRLS, by LUCILLE CLIFTON    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: My girls %my girls
Last Line: My girls %my more than me
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Girls


LAWD, DESE COLORED CHILLUM, by RUBY C. SAUNDERS    Poem Source                    
First Line: I get my degree
Last Line: Lawd, dese chillum won't let you be %white for nothing
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


LEGACIES, by YOLANDE CORNELIA GIOVANNI    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Her grandmother called her from the playground
Alternate Author Name(s): Giovanni, Nikki
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Ethnic Groups - United States; Grandparents; Minorities - United States; United States - Race Relations; Grandmothers; Grandfathers; Great Grandfathers; Great Grandmothers


LEGACIES, by YOLANDE CORNELIA GIOVANNI    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Her grandmother called her from the playground
Last Line: Said what they meant %and I guess nobody ever does
Alternate Author Name(s): Giovanni, Nikki
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Ethnic Groups - United States; Grandparents; Minorities - United States; U.s. - Race Relations


LESSONS FROM A MIRROR, by THYLIAS MOSS    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Snow white was nude at her wedding, she's so white
Last Line: Know that more than white is missing
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


LESSONS FROM A MIRROR, by THYLIAS MOSS    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Snow white was nude at her wedding, she's so white
Last Line: When you look at me, %know that more than white is missing
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


LETTER TO MY SISTER, by ANNE SPENCER    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: It is dangerous for a woman to defy the gods
Last Line: The gods their god-like fun.
Alternate Author Name(s): Bannister, Anne Bethel Scales
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women; Negroes; American Blacks


LIBERTY AND PEACE, A POEM, by PHILLIS WHEATLEY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Lo! Freedom comes. The prescient muse foretold
Last Line: And heavenly freedom spread her golden ray.
Alternate Author Name(s): Peters, Phillis
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Freedom; Love - Loss Of; Mortality; Liberty


LIGHT, by LUCILLE CLIFTON    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Last Line: Mine already is %an afrikan name
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; U.s. - Race Relations; Virginia (state)


LIMEN, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: All day I've listened to the industry
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping; Nature; Trees


LIMEN, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: All day I've listened to the industry
Last Line: Tireless, making the green hearts flutter
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping; Nature; Trees


LINEAGE, by MARGARET ABIGAIL WALKER    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: My grandmothers were strong
Alternate Author Name(s): Walker, Margaret+(1)
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Alienation (social Psychology); Alphabet Verse; Ancestors & Ancestry; Women; Estrangement; Outcasts; Heritage; Heredity


LINEAGE, by MARGARET ABIGAIL WALKER    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: My grandmothers were strong
Last Line: My grandmothers were strong. %why am I not as they?
Alternate Author Name(s): Walker, Margaret+(1)
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Alienation (social Psychology); Alphabet Verse; Ancestors And Ancestry; Women


LINES, by SARAH LOUISA FORTEN    Poem Source                    
First Line: From fair jamaica's fertile plains
Last Line: Might lean to earth to hear
Alternate Author Name(s): Ada
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


LINES TO A NASTURTIUM (A LOVER MUSES), by ANNE SPENCER    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Flame-flower, day-torch, mauna loa
Last Line: Beating, beating.
Alternate Author Name(s): Bannister, Anne Bethel Scales
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women; Negroes; American Blacks


LINES TO A SOPHISTICATE, by MAE V. COWDERY    Poem Source                    
First Line: Never would I seek
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


LINES, SUGGESTED ON READING 'AN APPEAL' BY A.E. GRIMKE, by SARAH LOUISA FORTEN    Poem Source                    
First Line: My spirit leaps in joyousness tow'rd thine
Last Line: Accursed thing, this achan in our camp, %may be removed
Alternate Author Name(s): Ada
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


LITTLE GIRL'S DREAM WORLD, by DELLA BURT    Poem Source                    
First Line: I remember the time
Last Line: Could it be that %it never %was?
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


LITTLE GREY DREAMS, by ANGELINA WELD GRIMKE    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


LOCUST TREES, by MARGARET L. THOMAS    Poem Source                    
First Line: No locust grows alone
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


LONGINGS, by MAE V. COWDERY    Poem Source                    
First Line: To dance -
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women; Longing


LOOKING FOR A COUNTRY UNDER ITS ORIGINAL NAME, by COLLEEN JOHNSON MCELROY    Poem Source                    
First Line: Gold will not buy this voyage
Last Line: Their mysteries so perfect even their undoings %seem as planned as way signs on a map
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


LOST BABY POEM, by LUCILLE CLIFTON    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The time I dropped your almost body down
Last Line: My life will keep silent %listening to %my body breaking
Subject(s): Abortion; African Americans - Women; Death - Children


LOVE LETTER, by CAROLE CLEMMONS GREGORY    Poem Source                    
First Line: Dear samson %I put your hair
Last Line: Love - delilah
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Delilah (bible); Samson; Women; Women In The Bible


LUCY ONE-EYE, by LUCILLE CLIFTON    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Last Line: And her wrinkled ways, %the darling girl
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


LULLABY, by GLADYS MAY CASELY HAYFORD    Poem Source                    
First Line: Close your sleepy eyes, or the pale moonlight will steal you
Last Line: In place of mammy's bibini, asleep on his wee bed
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


LYNCHING, by DOROTHEA MATHEWS    Poem Source                    
First Line: He saw the rope, the moving mob
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


MA RAINEY, by STERLING ALLEN BROWN    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: When ma rainey comes to town
Subject(s): African Americans - Song & Music; African Americans - Women; Blues (music); Jazz; Music & Musicians; Rainey, Ma (1886-1939); Singing & Singers; Women; Songs


MA RAINEY, by STERLING ALLEN BROWN    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: When ma rainey comes to town
Last Line: She jes' gits hold of us dataway
Subject(s): African Americans - Song And Music; African Americans - Women; Blues (music); Jazz; Music And Musicians; Rainey, Ma (1886-1939); Singing And Singers; Women


MAGALU, by HELENE JOHNSON    Poem Text     Poem Explanation                 Poet's Biography
First Line: Summer comes / the ziczac hovers
Last Line: For a creed that will not let you dance?
Variant Title(s): Magula
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Missionaries & Missions


MAGIC, by RITA DOVE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Practice makes perfect, the old folks said
Last Line: She would make it to paris one day
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


MAGIC, by RITA DOVE    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Practice makes perfect, the old folks said
Last Line: She would make it to paris one day
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


MAKE/N MY MUSIC, by ANGELA JACKSON    Poem Source                    
First Line: My colored childhood was mostly music
Last Line: I found billie %holiday - an learned %how %to cry
Subject(s): African Americans - Children; African Americans - Women; Jazz; Music And Musicians


MANY DIE HERE, by GAYL JONES    Poem Source                    
Last Line: You, who have let my people die without a name
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


MARIA DE LAS ROSAS, by BECKY BIRTHA    Poem Source                    
First Line: I go to visit where she stays
Last Line: Put the rose ub my hair %it smells like her
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Women's Rights


MASK, by IRMA MCCLAURIN    Poem Source                    
First Line: Hanging on the wall, an iron face watches me
Last Line: The mask contains a deeper blues than those I know %carving out my heart with yesterday's pain
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


MASQUERADE, by CAROLYN M. RODGERS    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: You think you %need me
Last Line: Ultimately realize the specific beauty or ugly %innards of %our %selves
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


MATTINATA, by MARY EFFIE LEE NEWSOME    Poem Source                    
First Line: When I think of the hosts little ones
Alternate Author Name(s): Newsome, Effie Lee
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


MEMORIAL: 1. THE SUPREMES-CIZ THEY DEAD, by SONIA SANCHEZ    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The supremes done gone
Subject(s): African Americans - Song And Music; African Americans - Women; Supremes, The (singing Group)


MEMORIAL: 1. THE SUPREMES-CIZ THEY DEAD, by SONIA SANCHEZ    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The supremes done gone
Subject(s): African Americans - Song And Music; African Americans - Women; Supremes, The (singing Group)


MEMORIAL: 2. BOBBY HUTTON, by SONIA SANCHEZ    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I didn't know bobby
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


MEMORIAL: 3. REV PIMPS, by SONIA SANCHEZ    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Sisters %git yr-blk-asses
Last Line: To any revolutionary %u dig?
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


MEMORY, by MARY EFFIE LEE NEWSOME    Poem Source                    
First Line: I have seen the robins
Alternate Author Name(s): Newsome, Effie Lee
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


MERCY SEAT, by BRUCE SMITH    Poem Source                    
First Line: The cafe society was a cottonless plantation
Last Line: Of a woman they would pick her gardenia to pieces, %petal by petal
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Holiday, Billie (1915-1959); Jazz; Music And Musicians; Singing And Singers


MICROSCOPE, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY            Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: In sixth grade, science was a puzzle
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


MICROSCOPE, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: In sixth grade, science was a puzzle
Last Line: Up close could lose its luster
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


MIDWAY, by NAOMI LONG (WITHERSPOON) MADGETT    Poem Text                 Recitation     Poet's Biography
First Line: I've come this far to freedom and I won't turn back
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women; Social Protest; Negroes; American Blacks


MIDWAY, by NAOMI LONG (WITHERSPOON) MADGETT    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I've come this far to freedom and I won't turn back
Last Line: Mighty mountains loom before me and I won't stop now
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women; Social Protest


MIGRATION, by PINKIE GORDON LANE                        Poet's Biography
First Line: The winter birds / are flying from the north
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Birds; Migration


MIGRATION, by PINKIE GORDON LANE    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The winter birds %are flying from the north
Last Line: Land, and time a revolving %flame
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Birds; Migration


MILTON, by HENRIETTA CORDELIA RAY    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
First Line: O, poet gifted with the sight divine!
Last Line: For thy not sightless eyes the veil was riv'n %redemption's problem unto thee well solved
Alternate Author Name(s): Ray, Cordelia
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


MISERABLE SINNER, by SUZANNE OWENS    Poem Source                    
First Line: I am a child of chance with a window brush
Last Line: I draw power. I walk barefoot
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Capital Punishment; Crime And Criminals; Death - Children; Murder; Pregnancy; Rape; Sin


MISS ROSIE, by LUCILLE CLIFTON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: When I watch you / wrapped like garbage
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


MISS ROSIE, by LUCILLE CLIFTON    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: When I watch you %wrapped like garbage
Last Line: Through your destruction %I stand up
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


MISSION OF THE FLOWERS, by FRANCES ELLEN WATKINS HARPER    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: In a lovely garden, filled with fair and blooming flowers
Last Line: And lay her fairest buds and flowers upon the altars of love and truth
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


MISSIONARIES IN THE JUNGLE, by LINDA PIPER    Poem Source                    
First Line: In the clearing sands
Last Line: Administering to garrulous black ghetto residents
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


MOLLY MEANS, by MARGARET ABIGAIL WALKER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis         Recitation by Author     Poet's Biography
First Line: Old molly means was a hag and a witch
Alternate Author Name(s): Walker, Margaret+(1)
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


MOLLY MEANS, by MARGARET ABIGAIL WALKER    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Old molly means was a hag and a witch
Last Line: O molly, molly, molly means %lean is the ghost of molly means
Alternate Author Name(s): Walker, Margaret+(1)
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


MORNING AFTER - LOVE, by KATTIE M. CUMBO    Poem Source                    
First Line: Clouds fill the sky
Last Line: On the morning after - love %I walk
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


MORNING LIGHT (THE DEW-DRIER), by MARY EFFIE LEE NEWSOME    Poem Text                    
First Line: Brother to the firefly
Alternate Author Name(s): Newsome, Effie Lee
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women; Negroes; American Blacks


MORNING LIGHT (THE DEW-DRIER), by MARY EFFIE LEE NEWSOME    Poem Source                    
First Line: Brother to the firefly
Last Line: Shall shape the earth for that fresh dawning %after the dews of blood?
Alternate Author Name(s): Newsome, Effie Lee
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


MOTHER TONGUE, by JACQUELINE JOHNSON    Poem Source                    
First Line: Mama, %it is with a thief's luck
Last Line: Prepare to birth myself
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Mothers; Women


MOTHER TONGUES-III, by JACQUELINE JOHNSON    Poem Source                    
First Line: Just think, all those tongues
Last Line: People of africa, were %standing upright
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Art And Artists; Ethnic Identity; Poetry And Poets; Rwanda; U.s. - Race Relations


MOTHER'S HABITS, by YOLANDE CORNELIA GIOVANNI    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I have all %my mother's habits
Last Line: No longer caring %either
Alternate Author Name(s): Giovanni, Nikki
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


MOTHERHOOD, by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Don't knock on my door, little child
Last Line: I cannot give you birth.
Alternate Author Name(s): Tremaine, John
Variant Title(s): Black Woman
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Despair; Mothers; Pregnancy


MRS. JOHNSON OBJECTS, by CLARA ANN THOMPSON    Poem Source                    
First Line: Come right in this house, will johnson
Last Line: An' jest let me ketch you chasin' %aft' them white trash anymo'
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Women


MUSIC, by ALICE RUTH MOORE DUNBAR-NELSON    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Music! Lilting, soft and languorous
Last Line: Music! With you, soul on your parted lips! %music - is you!
Alternate Author Name(s): Nelson, Alice Dunbar (moore)
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


MY ARKANSAS, by MAYA ANGELOU    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: There is deep brooding
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Arkansas


MY DREAM ABOUT BEING WHITE, by LUCILLE CLIFTON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis         Recitation by Author     Poet's Biography
First Line: Hey music and me / only white
Last Line: Wake up / dancing
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


MY DREAM ABOUT BEING WHITE, by LUCILLE CLIFTON    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Hey music and me %only white
Last Line: So I take them off and %wake up dancing
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


MY LITTLE DREAMS, by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I'm folding up my little dreams
Last Line: Tonight, within my heart.
Alternate Author Name(s): Tremaine, John
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Dreams; Nightmares


MY MAMA MOVED AMONG THE DAYS, by LUCILLE CLIFTON    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Last Line: Then seemed like she turned around and ran %right back in %right back on in
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Mothers; Women


MY OTHER MOTHER, by EVA JOOR WILLIAMS    Poem Text                    
First Line: When did I know you first? I cannot say
Last Line: "mah lil w'ite chilluns of mah earthly home?"
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Child Care; Mothers; Baby Sitters; Governesses


MYTHMAKER, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: We lived by the words / of gods, mythologies
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


MYTHMAKER, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: We lived by the words %of gods, mythologies
Last Line: Not like now. Not like now
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


NAI, by JACQUELINE JOHNSON    Poem Source                    
First Line: Nai a shimmering silvered colored lake
Last Line: She is the geechee %in me
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


NAOLA BEAUTY ACADEMY, NEW ORLEANS, 1945, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Made hair? The girls here
Variant Title(s): Naloa Beauty Academy, New Orleans, Louisiana 1943
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


NAOLA BEAUTY ACADEMY, NEW ORLEANS, 1945, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Made hair? The girls here
Last Line: Light, slight, and polite. %not a one out of place
Variant Title(s): Naloa Beauty Academy, New Orleans, Louisiana 194
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


NAPPY EDGES (A ACROSS COUNTRY SOJOURN), by NTOZAKE SHANGE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: St. Louis - such a colored town - a whiskey
Alternate Author Name(s): Williams, Paulette
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


NAPPY EDGES (A ACROSS COUNTRY SOJOURN), by NTOZAKE SHANGE    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: St. Louis - such a colored town - a whiskey
Last Line: This is my space %I am not movin
Alternate Author Name(s): Williams, Paulette
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


NATURALLY, by AUDRE LORDE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Since naturally black is naturally beautiful
Alternate Author Name(s): Adisa-warrior, Gamba
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Pride; Self-esteem; Self-respect


NATURALLY, by AUDRE LORDE    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Since naturally black is naturally beautiful
Last Line: Proud beautiful black women %could better make use %black bread
Alternate Author Name(s): Adisa-warrior, Gamba
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Pride


NEGRO GIRL, by IRENE COOPER ALLEN    Poem Text                    
First Line: Negro girl, - tall, dusky - skinned diana
Last Line: Ignorant, are you happy?
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Cosmetics; Slavery; Serfs


NEGRO LAUGHS BACK, by MARY JENNESS    Poem Source                    
First Line: You laugh, and I must hide the wound
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


NEGRO LAUGHTER, by ANITA SCOTT COLEMAN    Poem Source                    
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


NEGRO MOTHER, by JAMES LANGSTON HUGHES    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Children, I come back today
Last Line: For I will be with you till no white brother %dares to keep down the children of the negro mother
Alternate Author Name(s): Hughes, Langston
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women; Mothers


NEW DAY, by NAOMI LONG (WITHERSPOON) MADGETT    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
First Line: She coaxes her fat in front of her
Last Line: If she understands at all what I am saying
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


NEW ST. LOUIS BLUES: MARKET STREET WOMAN, by STERLING ALLEN BROWN    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Market street woman is known fuh to have dark days
Last Line: Let her git what she can git, 'fo dey lays on de coolin' board
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Jazz; Music And Musicians


NIGHT COMES WALKING, by ESTHER POPEL    Poem Source                    
First Line: Night comes walking out our way
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


NIGHT IS LIKE AN AVALANCHE, by BESSIE MAYLE    Poem Source                    
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


NIGHT'S PROTEGE, by MARJORIE MARSHALL    Poem Source                    
First Line: Child of bewitching night
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


NIKKI-ROSA, by YOLANDE CORNELIA GIOVANNI    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Childhood remembrances are always a drag / if you're black
Last Line: All the while I was quite happy
Alternate Author Name(s): Giovanni, Nikki
Variant Title(s): Nikki-roasa
Subject(s): African Americans - Children; African Americans - Women; Ethnic Groups - United States; Minorities - United States; United States - Race Relations; Women


NO IMAGES, by WARING CUNEY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: She does not know / her beauty
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


NO IMAGES, by WARING CUNEY    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
First Line: She does not know %her beauty
Last Line: And dish water gives back no images
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


NO MORE LOVE POEMS #1, by NTOZAKE SHANGE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Ever since I realized there waz someone callt / a colored girl an evil woman
Alternate Author Name(s): Williams, Paulette
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


NO MORE LOVE POEMS #1, by NTOZAKE SHANGE    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Ever since I realized there waz someone callt %a colored girl an evil woman
Last Line: I cdnt stand bein sorry & cololred at the same time %it's so redundant in the modern world
Alternate Author Name(s): Williams, Paulette
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


NOCTURNAL SOUNDS, by KATTIE M. CUMBO    Poem Source                    
First Line: Trembling novemeber winds %steam whistling in tenement pipes
Last Line: Sleep comes to close the ears of %the mind to night sounds of this world
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Sound


NOCTURNE, by GWENDOLYN B. BENNETT    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: This cool night is strange
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


NOCTURNE, by PINKIE GORDON LANE    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Listening for the sound %of my own %voice
Last Line: And the color of blue %everywhere
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


NOMEN (TO FEMI SODIPO AND MY AFRICAN-AMERICAN ANCESTORS), by NAOMI LONG (WITHERSPOON) MADGETT    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
First Line: My sunlight came pre-packaged
Last Line: And having no need to let myself be robbed %a second time
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Fathers And Daughters


NORDIC, by LILLIAN BYRNES    Poem Source                    
First Line: He takes his love much as he takes his wine
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


NORTHBOUN', by LUCY ARIEL WILLIAMS    Poem Text                    
First Line: O' de wurl' ain't flat
Last Line: I'm upward boun'.
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women; Negroes; American Blacks


NOSTALGIA, by MARJORIE MARSHALL    Poem Source                    
First Line: I shall go forth from here
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


NOT THAT FAR: CANARY ISLANDS, by MAY MILLER    Poem Source         Poet Analysis            
First Line: We touched land
Last Line: A man of tenerife %gave me %his island
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


NOT THAT FAR: EGYPT, by MAY MILLER    Poem Source         Poet Analysis            
First Line: Stone for stone
Last Line: I wasn't going that far
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


NOT THAT FAR: GIBRALTAR, by MAY MILLER    Poem Source         Poet Analysis            
First Line: Great rocks frighten
Last Line: Little people
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


NOT THAT FAR: GREECE, by MAY MILLER    Poem Source         Poet Analysis            
First Line: Marble cools
Last Line: Turned to dry stone %dusk
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


NOT THAT FAR: ITALY, by MAY MILLER    Poem Source         Poet Analysis            
First Line: In naples %it was beads
Last Line: With his blessed toes %kissed off
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


NOT THAT FAR: MADEIRA, by MAY MILLER    Poem Source         Poet Analysis            
First Line: Go slowly
Last Line: To sweeten the air of madeira
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


NOT THAT FAR: PORTUGAL, by MAY MILLER    Poem Source         Poet Analysis            
First Line: Once above the sea
Last Line: The ceiling fell down %on their heads
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


NOT THAT FAR: RHODES, by MAY MILLER    Poem Source         Poet Analysis            
First Line: Something once bloomed
Last Line: White knights slept here
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


NOT THAT FAR: SPAIN, by MAY MILLER    Poem Source         Poet Analysis            
First Line: Granada %seville and cordoba
Last Line: A matador buried his sword %in a bank of roses
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


NOT THAT FAR: THE HOLY LAND, by MAY MILLER    Poem Source         Poet Analysis            
First Line: Along the way
Last Line: Held out his lamb for me
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


NOT THAT FAR: THE TRIP BACK, by MAY MILLER    Poem Source         Poet Analysis            
First Line: The whip will never tame
Last Line: And I can't see
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


NOT THAT FAR: TUNISIA, by MAY MILLER    Poem Source         Poet Analysis            
First Line: Dragon seas breathed white death
Last Line: Now carthage grows daisies
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


NOT THAT FAR: TURKEY, by MAY MILLER    Poem Source         Poet Analysis            
First Line: Remember %the fiery blue of planets
Last Line: Do stab %the darkness
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


NOT THAT FAR: YUGOSLAVIA, by MAY MILLER    Poem Source         Poet Analysis            
First Line: From the tender
Last Line: Time is turning in black hills
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


OCTOBER, by ISABEL NEILL    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Now gypsy fires burn bright in every tree
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


OF EARTH, by MAE V. COWDERY    Poem Source                    
First Line: A mountain %is earth's mouth
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


OF WALTER WHITE'S FATHER IN THE RAIN, by JR. HOUSTON A. BAKER    Poem Source                    
First Line: Denied %like bessie
Last Line: Passing in the rain, separate, %and forever unequalled
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Blues (music); Jazz; Music And Musicians; Racism; Singing And Singers; Smith, Bessie (1894-1937)


OH, WHEN THIS EARTHLY TENEMENT, by SARAH LOUISA FORTEN    Poem Source                    
Last Line: Thou may attain a brighter home %a home beyond the sky
Alternate Author Name(s): Ada
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


OLD SLAVE WOMAN, by JOYCE SIMS CARRINGTON    Poem Text     Poem Explanation                
First Line: She is like a wrinkled apple
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


ON BEING BROUGHT FROM AFRICA TO AMERICA, by PHILLIS WHEATLEY    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis         Recitation     Poet's Biography
First Line: Twas mercy brought me from my pagan land
Last Line: May be refin'd, and join th' angelic train.
Alternate Author Name(s): Peters, Phillis
Subject(s): Africa; African Americans - Women; Love - Loss Of; Mortality


ON BEING HEAD OF THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT, by PINKIE GORDON LANE    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I will look with detachment %on the signing of contracts
Last Line: I am love
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


ON DIVERSE DEVIATIONS, by MAYA ANGELOU    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: When love is a shimmering curtain
Last Line: And no curtain drapes the door
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


ON DIVERSE DEVIATIONS, by MAYA ANGELOU    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: When love is a shimmering curtain
Last Line: Where love is the scream of anquish %and no curtain drapes the door
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


ON IMAGINATION, by PHILLIS WHEATLEY    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis         Recitation     Poet's Biography
First Line: Thy various works, imperial queen, we see
Last Line: Cease then, my song, cease the unequal lay.
Alternate Author Name(s): Peters, Phillis
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Love - Loss Of; Mortality


ON THE DEATH OF LISA LYMAN, by DELLA BURT    Poem Source                    
First Line: I had become callous like most
Last Line: Talk is too unreal
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


ON THE DEDICATION OF DOROTHY HALL, by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Not to the midnight of the gloomy past
Last Line: The striving women of a struggling race.
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Tuskegee Institute


ON THE TURNING UP OF UNIDENTIFIED BLACK FEMALE CORPSES, by TOI DERRICOTTE    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Mowing his three acres with a tractor
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Corpses; Cadavers


ON THE TURNING UP OF UNIDENTIFIED BLACK FEMALE CORPSES, by TOI DERRICOTTE    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Mowing his three acres with a tractor
Last Line: That digs me up with this pen %and turns my sad black face to the light
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Corpses


ONCE, by ALICE WALKER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Green lawn / a picket fence
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Southern States; South (u.s.)


ONCE, by ALICE WALKER    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Green lawn %a picket fence
Last Line: The very %tips %of her %fingers
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Southern States


ONE THING I DONT NEED', by NTOZAKE SHANGE    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Last Line: Steda bein sorry alla the time %enjoy bein yrself
Alternate Author Name(s): Williams, Paulette
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


ONLY IN THIS WAY, by MARGARET GOSS BURROUGHS    Poem Source                    
First Line: Not by wayout hairdos, bulbous afro blowouts, and certainly
Last Line: Only in this way to lay the groundwork for the change to come - %for the future - for your century
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


ORANGE CHIFFON, by JAYNE CORTEZ    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: If orange chiffon sadness %flowered from my chin of three bumps
Last Line: And my shadow half the size of two dates %broke
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


ORIFLAMME, by JESSIE REDMOND FAUSET    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I think I see her sitting bowed and black
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Mothers


ORIFLAMME, by JESSIE REDMOND FAUSET    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I think I see her sitting bowed and black
Last Line: Clutching our birthright, fight with faces set %still visioning the stars!
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Mothers


ORISHA, by JAYNE CORTEZ    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Across the flesh and feeling of soledad
Last Line: Immense in its infancy of these few words %orisha orisha satchmo orisha
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


OUGHTA BE A WOMAN, by JUNE JORDAN    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Washing the floors to send you to college
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Women's Rights; Feminism


OUGHTA BE A WOMAN, by JUNE JORDAN    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Washing the floors to send you to college
Last Line: Too much of a task for any one woman
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Women's Rights


PAGE 35, by HARRYETTE MULLEN    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The essence lady
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


PALM WINE SELLER, by GLADYS MAY CASELY HAYFORD    Poem Source                    
First Line: Akosua selling palm wine
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


PASSIONFRUIT, by JACQUELINE JOHNSON    Poem Source                    
First Line: Here are rivers raining
Last Line: Of memories, lean veins of new loves
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Love; Passion


PEACK COCKS POEMS, SELS., by SHERLEY ANNE WILLIAMS    Poem Source                    
First Line: I never thought to see us
Last Line: Sista -- sista -- been and is
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Mothers And Daughters; Women


PEARLS, by JACQUELINE JOHNSON    Poem Source                    
First Line: It was the hurt he didn't see
Last Line: Shimmering in her eyes
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Freedom; Love; Man-woman Relationships


PEOPLE GATHER, by MARI E. EVANS    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: They had it together
Last Line: But once
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


PHRASEOLOGY, by JAYNE CORTEZ    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I say things to myself %in a bitch of a syllable
Last Line: The impulsive foam %of a spastic
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


PIAF AND HOLIDAY GO OUT, by CAROL PEPPIS BERGE    Poem Source                    
First Line: Bracelet eat into the flesh / the gangrene of
Last Line: It will be easier. Sing it loud
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Holiday, Billie (1915-1959); Jazz; Music And Musicians; Piaf, Edith (1915-1963); Singing And Singers


PICTURE GALLERY, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY            Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: In a tight corner of the house, we'd kept
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Art & Artists; Housekeeping; Paintings & Painters


PICTURE GALLERY, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Source     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: In a tight corner of the house, we'd kept
Last Line: Our lives suddenly beautiful, then
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Art And Artists; Housekeeping; Paintings And Painters


POEM, by CHARLOTTE L. FORTEN GRIMKE    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: In the earnest path of duty
Last Line: We would win a wreath immortal %whose bright flowers n'er fade and die
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


POEM, by GLORIA T. HULL    Poem Source                    
First Line: What you said %keeps bothering me
Last Line: Our labor is more important than %our silence
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Women's Rights


POEM, by HELENE JOHNSON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Little brown boy / slim, dark, big-eyed
Last Line: You are.
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Children; African Americans - Women; Negroes; American Blacks


POEM ... FOR A LOVER, by MAE V. COWDERY    Poem Source                    
First Line: I would give you %the blue-violet dreams
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


POEM AT THIRTY, by SONIA SANCHEZ    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: It is midnight
Last Line: Of the night.
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


POEM FOR NANA, by JUNE JORDAN    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: What will we do %when there is nobody left %to kill?
Last Line: God knows I hope he's right
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


POEM FOR SOME BLACK WOMEN, by CAROLYN M. RODGERS    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I am lonely
Last Line: Add here detract there %lonely
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


POEM ON MY FORTIETH BIRTHDAY TO MY MOTHER WHO DIED YOUNG, by LUCILLE CLIFTON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Well I have almost come to the place where you fell
Last Line: Running like hell and if I fall / I fall
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Death; Mothers & Daughters; Dead, The


POEM ON MY FORTIETH BIRTHDAY TO MY MOTHER WHO DIED YOUNG, by LUCILLE CLIFTON    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Well I have almost come to the place where you fell
Last Line: Running like hell and if I fall %I fall
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Death; Mothers And Daughters


POPLAR TREE, by MAE V. COWDERY    Poem Source                    
First Line: Oftimes I wish that I could be
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


PORTRAIT IN GEORGIA, by JEAN TOOMER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Hair--braided chestnut,
Subject(s): Lynching; Racism; Georgia (state) African Americans - Women; Racial Prejudice; Bigotry


PORTRAITURE, by ANITA SCOTT COLEMAN    Poem Text     Poem Explanation                
First Line: Black men are the tall trees that remain standing
Last Line: Black men are the tall trees that remain standing in a forest after a fire.
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women; Negroes; American Blacks


POSTCARD AT VERTIGO BOOKS IN D. C., SELS, by REETIKA VAZIRANI    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: In the photo of billie holiday at the 1957 newport jazz festival
Last Line: Glamour-we look for it and it's not there
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Famous People; Holiday, Billie (1915-1959); Jazz; Music And Musicians; Photography And Photographers; Singing And Singers


PRAYER, by MAE V. COWDERY    Poem Source                    
First Line: I saw a dark boy
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


PROLETARIAT SPEAKS, by ALICE RUTH MOORE DUNBAR-NELSON    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I love beautiful things
Last Line: And hurrying out, dab my unrefreshed face %with bits of toiletry from the ten cent store
Alternate Author Name(s): Nelson, Alice Dunbar (moore)
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


PROMISE, by JOHARI M. KUNJUFU    Poem Source                    
First Line: I am warm
Last Line: They will only know me
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


PROOF, by BESSIE CALHOUN BIRD    Poem Source                    
First Line: Other loves I have known
Last Line: The gift sublime %the intransmutable verity
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


QUATRAIN: 2, by GWENDOLYN B. BENNETT    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: How strange that grass should sing
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


QUESTION OF SINGING-PART I, by JACQUELINE JOHNSON    Poem Source                    
First Line: I don't know when it happened or why, she just stop singing
Last Line: Sometimes, in red winged dawns of african, free women
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Freedom; Pain; Singing And Singers


RAINY SEASON LOVE SONG, by GLADYS MAY CASELY HAYFORD    Poem Source                    
First Line: Out of the tense awed darkness, my frangepani comes
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


REFLECTIONS, WRITTEN ON VISITING THE GRAVE OF A FRIEND, by ANN PLATO    Poem Text                    
First Line: Deep in this grave her bones remain
Last Line: We turn to dust, to sleep, to repose.
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Friendship; Graves; Mortality; Tombs; Tombstones


REMEMBERING FANNIE LOU HAMER, by THADIOUS M. DAVIS    Poem Source                    
First Line: Precious night-blooming cereus %you flowered once in mississippi
Last Line: But for strong new growth %under midnight moons
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


RETURN, by JOHARI M. KUNJUFU    Poem Source                    
First Line: Things begin again
Last Line: And the earth is warm deep soft and full %when the quietness bursts
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


REVELATION, by CAROLE CLEMMONS GREGORY    Poem Source                    
First Line: An old woman in me walks patiently to the hospital
Last Line: And looked so good %and when am I coming back to stay
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


REVOLUTIONARY PETUNIAS, by ALICE WALKER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Sammy lou of rue / sent to his reward
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Murder


REVOLUTIONARY PETUNIAS, by ALICE WALKER    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Sammy lou of rue %sent to his reward
Last Line: Don't yall forgit to water %my purple petunias'
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Murder


RHETORIC OF LANGSTON HUGHES, by MARGARET DANNER    Poem Source                    
First Line: While some 'rap' over this turmoil
Last Line: And dedicated ourselves %to be unraveling
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Hughes, Langston (1902-1967)


RIME FOR THE CHRISTMAS BABY (AT 48 WEBSTER PLACE, ORANGE), by ANNE SPENCER    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Dear bess, %he'll have rings and linen things
Alternate Author Name(s): Bannister, Anne Bethel Scales
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


RIVER, by ETHEL M. CAUTION    Poem Source                    
First Line: The river is decrepit old woman
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


ROBERT G. SHAW, by HENRIETTA CORDELIA RAY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: When war's red banners trailed along the sky
Last Line: In rev'rent love we guard thy memory.
Alternate Author Name(s): Ray, Cordelia
Subject(s): African Americans - Military; African Americans - Women; Shaw, Robert Gould (1847-1863); Soldiers


ROSABEL (OF ROSALIE), by ANGELINA WELD GRIMKE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Leaves that whisper whisper ever
Last Line: And for her, -- for her.
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Gays & Lesbians; Women's Rights; Homoeroticism; Lesbians; Gay Women; Gay Men; Feminism


RUTH, by COLLEEN JOHNSON MCELROY    Poem Source                    
First Line: It took 27 years to write this poem
Last Line: Read this %and count them
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


SADIE AND MAUD, by GWENDOLYN BROOKS    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Maud went to college
Last Line: In this old house.
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


SASSAFRAS TEA, by MARY EFFIE LEE NEWSOME    Poem Source                    
First Line: The sass'fras tea is red and clear
Alternate Author Name(s): Newsome, Effie Lee
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


SATORI, by GAYL JONES    Poem Source                    
First Line: Disturbed by consciousness %god created creation
Last Line: We pray over our beer %and I spring from the %buddha's forehead %black as jesus
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


SATURDAY DRIVE, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Saturdays, uncle son drives slow
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


SATURDAY DRIVE, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Saturdays, uncle son drives slow
Last Line: Still shiny enough to see her face
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


SATURDAY MATINEE, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY            Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: When I first see imitation of life
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


SATURDAY MATINEE, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Source     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: When I first see imitation of life
Last Line: An empty screen, pale blue, diamonds falling %until it's all covered up
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


SAY HELLO TO JOHN, by SHERLEY ANNE WILLIAMS    Poem Source                    
First Line: I swear I ain't done what richard
Last Line: His bright black face above me %saying, say hello to john
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


SEARCHING, by ALICE S. COBB    Poem Source                    
First Line: The chains that bind my thinking
Last Line: Where she dare preen and reaffirm %her womanness
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


SECRET, by GWENDOLYN B. BENNETT    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I shall make a song like your hair
Last Line: I shelter a song for you %secretly
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


SECRET, by MARY JENNESS    Poem Source                    
First Line: O you that strike will never flinch
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women; Racism


SECULAR, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Work-week's end and there's enough
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


SECULAR, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Work-week's end and there's enough
Last Line: Like gospel, like gold
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


SEDUCTION, by JO ANN HALL-EVANS    Poem Source                    
First Line: Sensuous %sloe eyed
Last Line: Se - duc - ed!!
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Seduction


SELF-EMPLOYMENT, 1970, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY            Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Who to be today? So many choices
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


SELF-EMPLOYMENT, 1970, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Source     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Who to be today? So many choices
Last Line: Up under that wig, her head %sweating, hot as an idea
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


SEPIA FASHION SHOW, by MAYA ANGELOU    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Their hair, pomaded, faces jaded
Last Line: I'd remind them please, look at those knees %you got a miss ann's scrubbing
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


SERVING GIRL, by GLADYS MAY CASELY HAYFORD    Poem Source                    
First Line: The calabash wherein she served my food
Last Line: The countless things she served with her eyes?
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


SEVINGES, by ANNE SPENCER    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Down in natchitoches there is a statue in a public square
Alternate Author Name(s): Bannister, Anne Bethel Scales
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


SEXUAL PRIVACY OF WOMEN ON WELFARE, by PINKIE GORDON LANE    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The aclu mountain states regional office came across a %welfare application
Last Line: Of a city street whose perspective %darkens with the morninglight? %document
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Privacy; Sex; Welfare


SHE'S FREE!, by FRANCES ELLEN WATKINS HARPER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: How say that by law we may torture and chase
Last Line: For the child of her love is no longer a slave.
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Slavery; Social Protest; Women; Serfs


SHINING PARLOR, by ANITA SCOTT COLEMAN    Poem Source                    
First Line: It was a drab street
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


SIGNS, OAKVALE, MISSISSIPPI, 1941, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY            Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The first time she leaves home is with a man
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


SIGNS, OAKVALE, MISSISSIPPI, 1941, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Source     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The first time she leaves home is with a man
Last Line: Nothing but cotton and road signs-stop or slow
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


SISTER MAIME FIELDS, by JACQUELINE JOHNSON    Poem Source                    
First Line: Dull patina %over rim of blue eye
Last Line: All heavy loads lighter
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Memory; Old Age


SISTER OUTSIDER, by AUDRE LORDE    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: We were born in a poor time
Alternate Author Name(s): Adisa-warrior, Gamba
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


SISTER OUTSIDER, by AUDRE LORDE    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: We were born in a poor time
Last Line: And beyond fear
Alternate Author Name(s): Adisa-warrior, Gamba
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


SISTER SUKIE, by JACQUELINE JOHNSON    Poem Source                    
First Line: I always loved peaches of simone's four women
Last Line: Where did you get such %a brown, pretty baby
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


SISTER SUKIE II, by JACQUELINE JOHNSON    Poem Source                    
First Line: I believe you came
Last Line: Precious medallion around our lives
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Sisters


SISTERS, by ALEXIS DE VEAUX    Poem Source                    
First Line: Ntabuu %ntabuu - selina and ntabuu of the red dirt road in new orleans
Last Line: Ancient grafiti hidden on vulva walls
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Women's Rights


SKYLINES, by BESSIE MAYLE    Poem Source                    
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


SMOTHERED FIRES, by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: A woman with a burning flame
Last Line: She breathed a soft—good-night!
Alternate Author Name(s): Tremaine, John
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Passion


SNOW IN OCTOBER, by ALICE RUTH MOORE DUNBAR-NELSON    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Today I saw a thing of arresting poignant beauty
Last Line: As prematuure grief grays the strong head %of a virile, red-haired man
Alternate Author Name(s): Nelson, Alice Dunbar (moore)
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


SO MANY FEATHERS, by JAYNE CORTEZ    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: You danced a magnetic dance
Last Line: So many feathers I remember %josephine josephine
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


SOLACE, by CLARISSA SCOTT DELANY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: My window opens out into the trees
Last Line: Which knows no pain.
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


SOLEDAD, by ROBERT EARL HAYDEN    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Naked, he lies in the blinded room
Last Line: Oh swings: beyond complete immortal now.
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Davis, Miles (1926-1991); Holiday, Billie (1915-1959); Jazz; Music & Musicians; Singing & Singers; Songs


SOME HANDS ARE LOVLIER, by MAE V. COWDERY    Poem Source                    
First Line: Two trees breathe
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


SONG, by GWENDOLYN B. BENNETT    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I am weaving a song of waters
Last Line: Sing a little faster! %sing!
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


SONG, by PAULI MURRAY    Poem Source                    
First Line: Because I know deep in my own heart
Last Line: Would say, 'I want you always near'
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


SONNET, by ALICE RUTH MOORE DUNBAR-NELSON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I had no thought of violets of late
Last Line: Of violets, and my soul's forgotten gleam.
Alternate Author Name(s): Nelson, Alice Dunbar (moore)
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Flowers; Violets


SONNET TO A NEGRO IN HARLEM, by HELENE JOHNSON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: You are disdainful and magnificent
Last Line: You are too splendid for this city street.
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women; Americans; Harlem (new York City); United States; Negroes; American Blacks; America


SPECULATION, 1939, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY            Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: First, the moles on each hand
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


SPECULATION, 1939, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Source     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: First, the moles on each hand
Last Line: Not that elevator lurching up, then down
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


SPIRIT FLOWERS ARE OUR LIVES, by DELLA BURT    Poem Source                    
Last Line: Spirit flowers are we
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


STARS IN ALABAMA, by JESSIE REDMOND FAUSET    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: In alabama %stars hand down so low
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


STILL I RISE, by MAYA ANGELOU    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: You may write me down in history / with your bitter, twisted lies
Last Line: I rise.
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


STREET LAMPS IN EARLY SPRING, by GWENDOLYN B. BENNETT    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Night wears a garment
Last Line: Move slowly with their gem-starred light
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


SUBSTITUTION, by ANNE SPENCER    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Is life itself but many ways of thought
Last Line: His all-mind bids us to keep this sacred place
Alternate Author Name(s): Bannister, Anne Bethel Scales
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


SUMMER MATURES, by HELENE JOHNSON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The brilliant-bellied newt flashes
Last Line: Come.
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Sappho (610-580 B.c.)


SUMMER ORACLE, by AUDRE LORDE    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Without exception %there is no end
Last Line: Under its cloak of lies
Alternate Author Name(s): Adisa-warrior, Gamba
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


SUMMER WORDS FOR A SISTER ADDICT, by SONIA SANCHEZ    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The first day I shot dope
Last Line: To mingle with the sister's young tears %and we all sing
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


SUNFLOWERS AND SATURDAYS, by MELBA JOYCE BOYD    Poem Source                    
First Line: Daddy sits %in his brown %leather chair
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


SWEET ETHEL WAS A ROAMING GIRL, by LINDA PIPER    Poem Source                    
Last Line: And she'll never %walk the streets no more
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Prostitution


SWEET ROSE OF ZION, by JACQUELINE JOHNSON    Poem Source                    
First Line: It could have been 1929
Last Line: Oh, sweet rose of zion, %fly free, %fly free
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Freedom; Movement


TABLEAU, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: At breakfast, the scent of lemons
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


TABLEAU, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: At breakfast, the scent of lemons
Last Line: That has begun to split the bowl in half
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


TENEBRIS, by ANGELINA WELD GRIMKE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: There is a tree, by day
Last Line: Or is it a shadow?
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Shadows


TERENCE MACSWINEY, by ANNE SPENCER    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
Alternate Author Name(s): Bannister, Anne Bethel Scales
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


THE ANGEL'S VISIT, by CHARLOTTE L. FORTEN GRIMKE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Twas on a glorious summer eve
Last Line: Was breathed before the throne.
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


THE BEAN EATERS, by GWENDOLYN BROOKS    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: They eat beans mostly, this old yellow pair
Last Line: Tobacco crumbs, vases and fringes.
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Farm Life; Old Age; United States; Women; Agriculture; Farmers; America


THE BIRTH IN A NARROW ROOM, by GWENDOLYN BROOKS    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Weeps out of western country something new
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Birth; Child Birth; Midwifery


THE BLACK BACK-UPS, by KATE RUSHIN    Poem Text                 Recitation by Author    
First Line: This is dedicated to merry clayton, fontella bass, vonetta
Alternate Author Name(s): Rushin, Donna Kate
Subject(s): African Americans - Song & Music; African Americans - Women; Jazz; Music & Musicians; Popular Culture - United States; Singing & Singers; Women's Rights; Songs; Feminism


THE BLACK MAMMY, by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: O whitened head entwined in turban gay
Last Line: That it some day might crush thine own black child?
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Babies; Family Life; Infants; Relatives


THE BLACKSTONE RANGERS: 3. GANG GIRLS; A RANGERETTE, by GWENDOLYN BROOKS    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Gang girls are sweet exotics
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


THE COMING OF KALI, by LUCILLE CLIFTON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: It is the black god, kali
Last Line: You know you know me well
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


THE CROCUSES, by FRANCES ELLEN WATKINS HARPER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: They heard the south wind sighing
Last Line: Were loving her so much.
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


THE DAMNED, by TOI DERRICOTTE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The drawers of my mother's bedroom
Last Line: If either of us can be saved
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Women's Rights; Feminism


THE DAY LADY DIED, by FRANK O'HARA (1926-1966)    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: It is 12:20 in new york a friday
Last Line: Minneapolis, mn, www.Coffeehousepress.Com
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Holiday, Billie (1915-1959); Jazz; Men; Music & Musicians; Music, Rock; Singing & Singers; Rock & Roll; Songs


THE DREAM SONGS: 68, by JOHN BERRYMAN    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I heard, could be, a hey there from the wing
Last Line: Black to the birds instead
Alternate Author Name(s): Smith, John, Jr.
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Blues (music); Jazz; Music & Musicians; Singing & Singers; Smith, Bessie (1894-1937); Songs


THE ENCHANTED SHELL, by HENRIETTA CORDELIA RAY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Fair, fragile una, golden-haired
Last Line: Is it a vision? Who can tell?
Alternate Author Name(s): Ray, Cordelia
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Shells; Conchology


THE HEART OF A WOMAN, by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis         Recitation     Poet's Biography
First Line: The heart of a woman goes forth with the dawn
Last Line: While it breaks, breaks, breaks on the sheltering bars.
Alternate Author Name(s): Tremaine, John
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Women


THE LEAP FROM THE LONG BRIDGE; AN INCIDENT AT WASHINGTON, by SARA JANE CLARKE LIPPINCOTT    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Now rest the wretched. The long day is past
Last Line: And her sorrow and bondage are o'er.
Alternate Author Name(s): Greenwood, Grace
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Escapes; Slavery; Washington, D.c.; Fugitives; Serfs


THE LOST BABY POEM, by LUCILLE CLIFTON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The time I dropped your almost body down
Subject(s): Abortion; African Americans - Women; Death - Children; Death - Babies


THE MASK, by CLARISSA SCOTT DELANY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: So detached and cool she is
Last Line: Was slipped once more in place.
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


THE MEMORY OF MARTHA, by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Out in de night a sad bird moans
Last Line: W'en dey sees yo' face a-shinin', den dey 'll know.
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


THE MOTHER, by GWENDOLYN BROOKS    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Abortions will not let you forget
Last Line: All.
Subject(s): Abortion; African Americans; African Americans - Women; Mothers; Negroes; American Blacks


THE MUSE'S FAVOR, by PRISCILLA JANE THOMPSON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Oh muse! I crave a favor
Last Line: Rings out with the tardy song.
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


THE MUSE'S FAVOR: THE SONG, by PRISCILLA JANE THOMPSON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Oh, foully slighted ethiope maid!
Last Line: That staid this song, I sing to thee.
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


THE NATIVES OF AMERICA, by ANN PLATO    Poem Text                    
First Line: Tell me a story, father, please
Last Line: "remember this, though I tell no more."
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


THE POSTCARD AT VERTIGO BOOKS IN D. C., SELS, by REETIKA VAZIRANI    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: In the photo of billie holiday at the 1957 newport jazz festival
Last Line: Look for it and it’s not there
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Famous People; Holiday, Billie (1915-1959); Jazz; Music & Musicians; Photography & Photographers; Singing & Singers


THE QUADROON GIRL, by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The slaver in the broad lagoon
Last Line: In a strange and distant land!
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Slavery; Serfs


THE ROAD, by HELENE JOHNSON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Ah, little road all whirry in the breeze
Last Line: Rise to one brimming golden, spilling cry!
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


THE SECOND SERMON ON THE WARPLAND, by GWENDOLYN BROOKS    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: This is the urgency: live!
Last Line: Conduct your blooming in the noise and whip of the whirlwind.
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


THE SLAVE MOTHER, by FRANCES ELLEN WATKINS HARPER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Heard you that shriek? It rose
Last Line: Oh, father! Must they part?
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Americans; Slavery; United States; Serfs; America


THE SUPPLIANT, by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Long have I beat with timid hands upon life's leaden door
Last Line: The strong demand, contend, prevail; the beggar is a fool!
Alternate Author Name(s): Tremaine, John
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women; Negroes; American Blacks


THE TRUE AMERICAN, by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON            Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: America, here is your son, born of your iron heel
Alternate Author Name(s): Tremaine, John
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women; Negroes; American Blacks


THE WOMAN THING, by AUDRE LORDE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The hunters are back from beating the winter's face
Alternate Author Name(s): Adisa-warrior, Gamba
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


THEFT, by ESTHER POPEL    Poem Source                    
First Line: The moon %was an old, old woman tonight
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


THERE IS A WOMAN IN THIS TOWN, by PATRICIA PARKER    Poem Source                    
Last Line: It lives for those who once upon a time had a dream
Alternate Author Name(s): Parker, Pat
Subject(s): African American Lesbians; African Americans - Women; Homosexuality


THIRTY-EIGHTH YEAR, by LUCILLE CLIFTON    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Last Line: I had expected more than this. %I had not expected to be %anordinary woman
Subject(s): Absence; African Americans - Women; Aging; Mothers And Daughters


THIS CHILD IS THE MOTHER, by GLORIA CATHERINE ODEN    Poem Source                    
First Line: Black is; slavery was; I am
Last Line: The fierce physics of %that soothing fountain %outpouring %from her side
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


THREE PHOTOGRAPHERS: 3. WASH WOMEN, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY            Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The eyes of eight women / I don't know
Variant Title(s): Three Photographs
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


THREE PHOTOGRAPHERS: 3. WASH WOMEN, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The eyes of eight women %I don't know
Last Line: Their ready gaze through him, %to me, straight ahead
Variant Title(s): Three Photograph
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


THREE PHOTOGRAPHS: 1. DAYBOOK, APRIL 1901, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: What luck to find them here!
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


THREE PHOTOGRAPHS: 1. DAYBOOK, APRIL 1901, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: What luck to find them here!
Last Line: Too full with new graves %and no flowers
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


THREE PHOTOGRAPHS: 2. CABBAGE VENDOR, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY            Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Natural, he say. / what he want from me?
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


THREE PHOTOGRAPHS: 2. CABBAGE VENDOR, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Source     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Natural, he say. %what he want from me?
Last Line: Like he be seeing me- %distant and small-forever
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


TIME'S UNFADING GARDEN, by ANNE SPENCER    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
First Line: God never planted a garden'
Last Line: Nor take the morning air
Alternate Author Name(s): Bannister, Anne Bethel Scales
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women; Alphabet Verse


TIRED POEM: .. UNEMPLOYED BLACK PROFESSIONAL WOMAN, by KATE RUSHIN    Poem Source                    
First Line: So it's a gorgeous afternoon in the park
Last Line: And then it is very quiet
Alternate Author Name(s): Rushin, Donna Kate
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Women's Rights


TITTY BOAT, by PHILIP S. BRYANT    Poem Source                    
First Line: My aunt
Last Line: Its black holds
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Aunts


TO A DARK DANCER, by MARJORIE MARSHALL    Poem Source                    
First Line: Within the shadow of the moon you danced
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


TO A DARK GIRL, by GWENDOLYN B. BENNETT    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I love you for your brownness
Last Line: And let your full lips laugh at fate!
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


TO A GONE ERA (MY COLLEGE DAYS - CLASS OF '73), by IRMA MCCLAURIN    Poem Source                    
First Line: The eye of this storm is not quiet
Last Line: Their sorrow sings through the cracked tenement walls
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


TO A YOUNG WIFE, by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I was a fool to dream that you
Alternate Author Name(s): Tremaine, John
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women; Negroes; American Blacks


TO A YOUNG WIFE, by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I was a fool to dream that you
Alternate Author Name(s): Tremaine, John
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


TO AN ICICLE, by BLANCHE TAYLOR DICKINSON    Poem Source                    
First Line: Chilled into a serenity
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


TO AN OLD BLACK WOMAN, HOMELESS AND INDISTINCT, by GWENDOLYN BROOKS            Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Your every day is a pilgrimage
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Homeless; Women – Old Age


TO AN OLD BLACK WOMAN, HOMELESS AND INDISTINCT, by GWENDOLYN BROOKS    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Your every day is a pilgrimage
Last Line: Folks used to say 'that child is going far'
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Homeless


TO ANITA, by SONIA SANCHEZ    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: High/yellow/black/girl
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


TO CLARISSA SCOTT DELANY, by ANGELINA WELD GRIMKE    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: She has not found herself a hard pillow
Last Line: She is only unseen, unseen?
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


TO E.J.J., by ETHEL M. CAUTION    Poem Source                    
First Line: Sparkling eyes of diamond jet
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


TO JOAN, by LUCILLE CLIFTON    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Joan %did you never hear
Last Line: Did you not then sigh %my voices my voices of course?
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Women


TO KEEP THE MEMORY OF CHARLOTTE FORTEN GRIMKE - 1915, by ANGELINA WELD GRIMKE    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Still are there wonders of the dark and day
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Women's Rights


TO MY FATHER, by HENRIETTA CORDELIA RAY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: A leaf from freedom's golden chaplet fair
Last Line: Divine approval is thy sweetest praise.
Alternate Author Name(s): Ray, Cordelia
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


TO S.M., A YOUNG AFRICAN PAINTER, ON SEEING HIS WORKS, by PHILLIS WHEATLEY    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis         Recitation     Poet's Biography
First Line: To show the lab'ring bosom's deep intent
Last Line: Now seals the fair creation from my sight.
Alternate Author Name(s): Peters, Phillis
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Love - Loss Of; Moorhead, Scipio (18th Century); Mortality; Paintings & Painters


TO SOULFOLK, by MARGARET GOSS BURROUGHS    Poem Source                    
First Line: Soulfolk, think a minute
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


TO THE MEMORY OF J. HORACE KIMBALL, by SARAH LOUISA FORTEN    Poem Source                    
First Line: Another youthful advocate of truth and right has gone
Last Line: When slavery's galling chains are loosed, and all the oppressed are free
Alternate Author Name(s): Ada
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


TO THOSE OF MY SISTERS WHO KEPT THEIR NATURALS, by GWENDOLYN BROOKS    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Sisters! I love you
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Conformity; Pride; Self-esteem; Self-respect


TO THOSE OF MY SISTERS WHO KEPT THEIR NATURALS, by GWENDOLYN BROOKS    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Sisters! I love you
Last Line: The natural respect of self and seal! %sisters! %your hair is celebration in the world!
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Conformity; Pride


TO TURN FROM LOVE, by SARAH WEBSTER FABIO    Poem Source                    
First Line: No, %I cannot %turn from love
Last Line: On a fresh made %bed
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


TO USWARD, by GWENDOLYN B. BENNETT    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Let us be still %as ginger jars are still
Last Line: For there is joy in long dried tears %for whetted passions of a throng
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


TO WHITTIER, by JOSEPHINE DEPHINE HENDERSON HEARD    Poem Text                    
First Line: In childhood's sunny day my heart was taught to love
Last Line: With condescension write for me thy name.
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Whittier, John Greenleaf (1807-1892)


TO WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON ON READING HIS 'CHOSEN QUEEN', by CHARLOTTE L. FORTEN GRIMKE    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: A loyal subject, thou, to that bright queen
Last Line: Than thee, thy chosen queen shall never find %a truer subject nor a firmer friend
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Garrison, William Lloyd (1805-1879)


TORCH SONGS, by ROBERT WRIGLEY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I would speak of that grief
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Blues (music); Grief; Holiday, Billie (1915-1959); Jazz; Love; Music & Musicians; Singing & Singers; Smith, Bessie (1894-1937); Sorrow; Sadness


TORCH SONGS, by ROBERT WRIGLEY    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I would speak of that grief
Last Line: Of someone you might always love
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Blues (music); Grief; Holiday, Billie (1915-1959); Jazz; Love; Music And Musicians; Singing And Singers; Smith, Bessie (1894-1937)


TOTEM, by JACQUELINE JOHNSON    Poem Source                    
First Line: How he tried to steal my words
Last Line: A foaming stripped tiger becomes my totem
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Fights; Love - Complaints; Man-woman Relationships


TOUCHE, by JESSIE REDMOND FAUSET    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Dear, when we sit in that high, placid room
Last Line: I knew a lad in my own girlhood's past - %blue eyes he had and such waving gold hair!
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


TREES AT NIGHT, by HELENE JOHNSON    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Slim sentinels %stretching lacy arms
Last Line: The trembling beauty %of an urgent pine
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


TRIBUTE: TO THE SWEET BARD OF THE WOMAN'S CLUB, ALICE RUTH MOORE, by ELOISE BIBB THOMPSON    Poem Text                    
First Line: I peer adown a shining group
Last Line: So graceful, sweet, and terse.
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Dunbar-nelson, Alice Ruth Nelson


TRIPART, by GAYL JONES    Poem Source                    
First Line: A very friendly %prison
Last Line: In a restaurant %dealing with humanity
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


TRUE AMERICAN, by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: America, here is your son, born of your iron heel
Alternate Author Name(s): Tremaine, John
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


U NAME THIS ONE, by CAROLYN M. RODGERS    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Let uh revolution come. Uh
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


U NAME THIS ONE, by CAROLYN M. RODGERS    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Let uh revolution come. Uh
Last Line: Let uh revolution come. %couldn't be no action like what %I dun already seen
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


UNCLE RUBE ON THE RACE PROBLEM, by CLARA ANN THOMPSON    Poem Text                    
First Line: How'd I solve de negro problum?'
Last Line: Whethah folks like it or no.
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Racism; Racial Prejudice; Bigotry


UNDER THE DAYS, by ANGELINA WELD GRIMKE    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The days fall upon me
Last Line: Who will ever find me %under the days?
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Women's Rights


UNDER THE EDGE OF FEBRUARY, by JAYNE CORTEZ    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Last Line: Your arson of alert %beautiful
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


VERSES TO MY HEART'S-SISTER, by HENRIETTA CORDELIA RAY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: We've traveled long together
Last Line: Forever and for aye!
Alternate Author Name(s): Ray, Cordelia
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


VOICES, by OLIVA WARD BUSH    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I stand upon the haunted plain
Last Line: The voice of opportunity.
Alternate Author Name(s): Bush-banks, Oliva Ward
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


WANT, by MAE V. COWDERY    Poem Source                    
First Line: I want to take down with my hands
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


WANT OF YOU, by ANGELINA WELD GRIMKE    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: A hint of gold where the moon will be
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


WATER SONGS, by JACQUELINE JOHNSON    Poem Source                    
First Line: A disconnected connection
Last Line: And everything is alright
Variant Title(s): March Water Songs
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Grief; Reality; Singing And Singers; Tears


WAY IT IS, by GLORIA CATHERINE ODEN    Poem Source                    
First Line: I have always known
Last Line: I am so pleased with myself
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Children


WAY IT WAS, by LUCILLE CLIFTON    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Mornings %I got up early
Last Line: Not touching %trying to be white
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


WHAT A LITTLE MOONLIGHT CAN DO, by JOSEPH HEITHAUS    Poem Source                    
First Line: You can see her, hair down, sipping a coke
Last Line: Their legs loose and lifeless in air
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Holiday, Billie (1915-1959); Jazz; Music And Musicians; Singing And Singers


WHAT DO I CARE FOR MORNING, by HELENE JOHNSON    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
Last Line: Night is here, yielding and tender- %what do I care for dawn!
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


WHAT IS THERE FOR US?, by JACQUELINE JOHNSON    Poem Source                    
Last Line: Today is our own
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Daughters


WHAT KEEPS US ALIVE, by JACQUELINE JOHNSON    Poem Source                    
First Line: Is someone who knew you
Last Line: I'll see you again
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Ancestors And Ancestry; Family Life; Memory


WHEN YOU READ THIS POEM, by PINKIE GORDON LANE    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The earth turns %like a rainbow
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


WHEN YOU THOUGHT ME POOR, by ALICE WALKER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Poverty; Success


WHERE WILL YOU BE?, by PATRICIA PARKER    Poem Text                    
First Line: Boots are being polished
Alternate Author Name(s): Parker, Pat
Subject(s): Gays & Lesbians; African Americans - Women; Gays & Lesbians; Women's Rights; Homoeroticism; Lesbians; Gay Women; Gay Men; Homoeroticism; Lesbians; Gay Women; Gay Men; Feminism


WHERE WILL YOU BE?, by PATRICIA PARKER    Poem Source                    
First Line: Boots are being polished
Last Line: And where will you be %when they come?
Alternate Author Name(s): Parker, Pat
Subject(s): African American Lesbians; African Americans - Women; Homosexuality; Women's Rights


WHITE LIES, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The lies I could tell
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


WHITE LIES, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The lies I could tell
Last Line: Thinking they'd work %from the inside out
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Housekeeping


WHO IS MY BROTHER?, by PINKIE GORDON LANE    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
First Line: My friend, your face %is showing
Last Line: Go wipe your feet in ashes %the sun has always been red
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


WHO SAID IT WAS SIMPLE, by AUDRE LORDE    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: There are so many roots to the tree of anger
Alternate Author Name(s): Adisa-warrior, Gamba
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Racism; Racial Prejudice; Bigotry


WHOLING, by JACQUELINE JOHNSON    Poem Source                    
First Line: Everyday we practice warfare
Last Line: I bleed new futures
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


WHY I LIKE MOVIES, by PATRICIA SPEARS JONES    Poem Source                    
First Line: I like movies because %people get to mug their faces in movies
Last Line: Time turns away %a revolution terrified of the dark
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


WHY?, by MELBA JOYCE BOYD    Poem Source                    
First Line: Katherine %is warm
Last Line: And why %do teardrops %dry in %the pockets %of my %cracked %smile?
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


WILD ROSES, by MARY EFFIE LEE NEWSOME    Poem Source                    
First Line: What! Roses growing in a meadow
Alternate Author Name(s): Newsome, Effie Lee
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


WILL THE LAST PERSON TO LEAVE PLEASE TURN OUT THE LIGHTS, by PHILIP S. BRYANT    Poem Source                    
First Line: I went to the last
Last Line: Dead last
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Dancing And Dancers; Holiday, Billie (1915-1959); Jazz; Labor And Laborers; Music And Musicians; Singing And Singers


WIMIN'S WORK, by WINIFRED VIRGINIA JACKSON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: She wan't like ede er kate er them
Last Line: Up ter the day she died.
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


WIND BLOWS, by MAE V. COWDERY    Poem Source                    
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women


WINGFOOT LAKE, by RITA DOVE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: On her 36th birthday, thomas had shown her
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Ethnic Groups - United States; Minorities - United States; Swimming & Swimmers; United States - Race Relations


WINGFOOT LAKE, by RITA DOVE    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: On her 36th birthday, thomas had shown her
Last Line: Under the company symbol, a white foot %sprouting two small wings
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Ethnic Groups - United States; Minorities - United States; Swimming; U.s. - Race Relations


WISHES, by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I'm tired of pacing the petty round of the ring of the thing
Alternate Author Name(s): Tremaine, John
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women; Wishes; Negroes; American Blacks


WISHES, by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I'm tired of pacing the petty round of the ring of the thing
Alternate Author Name(s): Tremaine, John
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women; Wishes


WOMAN ME, by MAYA ANGELOU    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Your smile, delicate / rumor of peace
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


WOMAN ME, by MAYA ANGELOU    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Your smile, delicate %rumor of peace
Last Line: A stomp of feet, a bevy of swift hands
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


WOMAN POEM, by YOLANDE CORNELIA GIOVANNI    Poem Source     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: You see, my whole life %is tied up %to happiness
Last Line: For real thing %I %know
Alternate Author Name(s): Giovanni, Nikki
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


WOMAN THING, by AUDRE LORDE    Poem Source     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The hunters are back from beating the winter's face
Last Line: Meanwhile the womanthing my mother taught me %bakes off its covering of snow %like a rising blackeni
Alternate Author Name(s): Adisa-warrior, Gamba
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


WOMAN'S SONG, by COLLEEN JOHNSON MCELROY    Poem Source                    
First Line: The land is cold and its men gather earth for no reason
Last Line: I am diamonane, beloved %daughter, bird child of obsidian and serpent. I am the %egg, the sperm
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


WOMANHOOD, by GWENDOLYN BROOKS    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


WOMEN (3), by ALICE WALKER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: They were women then
Variant Title(s): Women
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


WOMEN (3), by ALICE WALKER    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: They were women then
Last Line: Of it %themselves
Variant Title(s): Wome
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


WORDS FOR JAZZ PERHAPS: TO BESSIE SMITH, by MICHAEL LONGLEY    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
First Line: You bring from chattanooga tennessee
Last Line: Each longed-for holiday, each terminal
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Blues (music); Jazz; Music And Musicians; Singing And Singers; Smith, Bessie (1894-1937)


YIN 87, by JACQUELINE JOHNSON    Poem Source                    
First Line: Dangarees and silk
Last Line: In them braids, too healthy for me
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Girls


YOU MADE IT RAIN, LADY, by RUBY C. SAUNDERS    Poem Source                    
Last Line: Because of you, madame moon %it rains
Subject(s): African Americans - Women


YOUR WORLD, by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Your world is as big as you make it
Last Line: With rapture, with power, with ease!
Alternate Author Name(s): Tremaine, John
Subject(s): African Americans - Women