African American Poetry: A Digital Anthology

Countee Cullen, "Advice to Youth (for Guillaume)" (1925)

Since little time is granted here
   For pride in pain or play,
Since blood soon cools before that Fear
   That makes our prowess clay,
If lips to kiss are freely met,
   Lad, be not proud nor shy;
There are no lips where men forget,
   And undesiring lie.

Published in Color, 1925
 

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