It is the Negro's tragedy I feel Which binds me like a heavy iron chain, It is the Negro's wounds I want to heal Because I know the keenness of his pain. Only a thorn-crowned Negro, and no white Can penetrate into the Negro's ken, Or feel the thickness of the shroud of night Which hides and buries him from the other men. So what I write is urged out of my blood. There is no white man who could write my book, Though many think their story should be told Of what the Negro people ought to brook. Our statesmen roam the world to set things right. The Negro laughs and prays to God for Light! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE LAW OF THE YUKON by ROBERT WILLIAM SERVICE THE LORDS OF THE MAIN by JOSEPH STANSBURY TO THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE, IN NEW-ENGLAND by PHILLIS WHEATLEY THE ADIEU, TO A FRIEND LEAVING SUFFOLK by BERNARD BARTON PSALM 4. CUM INVOCAREM by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE |