Countee Cullen, "To John Haynes Holmes" (1927)
(Read at the Testimonial Dinner to John Haynes Holmes in recognition of his twenty years as Minister of the Community Church of New York City.)
By COUNTEE CULLEN
Cnce in a thousand years a call may ring
Divested so of every cumbering lie
A man espousing it may fight and sing,
And count it but a little thing to die;
Once in a thousand years a star may come
Six-pointed, tipped with such an astral flow
It’s singing sisters must bow hushed dumb,
Half-mutinous, yet half-adoring show;
Once in as many years a man may rise
So cosmopolitan of thought and speech,
Humanity reflected in his eyes,
His heart a haven every race may reach,
That doubters shall receive a mortal thrust,
And own “This man proves flesh exalts its dust”.
Published in The Crisis, March 1927