Countee Cullen * May 30, 1903 – January 9, 1946 * American poet * Leading figure in the Harlem Renaissance * In 1923, he won second prize in the Witter Bynner undergraduate poetry contest, which was sponsored by the Poetry Society of America, with a poem entitled ‘The Ballad of the Brown Girl’ * By 1929 Cullen had published four volumes of poetry. The title poem of ‘The Black Christ and Other Poems’ (1929) was criticized for the use of Christian religious imagery - Cullen compared the lynching of a black man to the crucifixion of Jesus. * It was rumoured that he was in a relationship with Harold Jackson.
I chose these two poems as it really illustrates the suffering that black people suffered in America during this era, also the fact that black people were incredibly talented and have perhaps chosen to not pursue their dream or utilise their talent as they were not supposed to be superior to whites.
I chose these two poems as it really illustrates the suffering that black people suffered in America during this era, also the fact that black people were incredibly talented and have perhaps chosen to not pursue their dream or utilise their talent as they were not supposed to be superior to whites.
For a Poet
I have wrapped my dreams in a silken cloth,
And laid them away in a box of gold;
Where long will cling the lips of the moth,
I have wrapped my dreams in a silken cloth;
I hide no hate; I am not even wroth
Who found earth's breath so keen and cold;
I have wrapped my dreams in a silken cloth,
And laid them away in a box of gold.
For a Poet
I have wrapped my dreams in a silken cloth,
And laid them away in a box of gold;
Where long will cling the lips of the moth,
I have wrapped my dreams in a silken cloth;
I hide no hate; I am not even wroth
Who found earth's breath so keen and cold;
I have wrapped my dreams in a silken