African American Poetry: A Digital Anthology

Azalia E. Martin, "The Curse of Gold" (1906)

THE CURSE OF GOLD .
By Azalia E. Martin .

The ring of gold through centuries re-echoes,
   The air is pregnant with its clanking din,
'Tis worshipped now as when the proud patrician
   Reveled in sin.

Men have been known to slaughter fellow -brothers
   To deal in deeds of death with daring bold,
And purest lives marred by unholy vices
   For sake of gold.

The miser sits within his lowly dwelling,
   And counts in silence there his hoarded gold;
No lesson unto man of love or duty
   His lips unfold.

Within the monastery's secret cloisters
   Where dwells the monk with humbleness profound
Or where the chiming convent bells are ringing
   There gold is found.

Deep in the cold, cold grave where all is silent
   Where mighty Death his wondrous change hath wrought,
'Tis there desires of earth are all forgotten
   No gold is sought.


Published in Voice of the Negro, March 1906

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  1. Poems Published in "The Voice of the Negro" Magazine Amardeep Singh