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Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Searching... Subject: AFRICAN AMERICANS - WOMEN Matches Found: 671 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 softgood-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 |
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