African American Poetry (1870-1927): A Digital AnthologyMain MenuFull Text Collection: Books Published by African American Poets, 1870-1927Author Pages: Bios and Full Text CollectionsAreas of Interest: Topics and ThemesThe Beginnings of the Harlem Renaissance: Overview and Timeline of Key EventsBlack Poetry Before the Harlem Renaissance: Overview and TimelinePeriodicals: African American Poetry Published in MagazinesAfrican American Poetry: Anthologies of the 1920sExploring Datasets related to African American poetryAbout This Site: Origins and a Mission StatementFurther Reading / Works CitedAmardeep Singhc185e79df2fca428277052b90841c4aba30044e1
Bessie Brent Madison Down at the Feet of the Years 1925
1media/Bessie Brent Madison-Down at the feet of the years-The Crisis-January 1925_thumb.png2022-08-05T09:57:54-04:00Amardeep Singhc185e79df2fca428277052b90841c4aba30044e12131Page Image of Bessie Brent Madison Poem Published in The Crisis January 1925plain2022-08-05T09:57:54-04:00Amardeep Singhc185e79df2fca428277052b90841c4aba30044e1
Down at the feet of the years we shall find them All of the dear vanished things, All of the dreamings that never came true, All that 'might have been' for me and for you.
Find our dead flowers fragrant with dew, Growing by life-giving springs.
Down at the feet of the years we shall find them Tenderly hidden away, Wee little laddies that never were men, Wee little lassies that never knew sin.
Down at the feet of the years we shall find them Jewels that once were our tears. Find all our losses were infinite gain,
Mysteries too deep for our dull, human ken, Kept for a happier day.
Find perfect joy that we once thought was pain. Praise in abundance that once seemed as blame, Down at the feet of the years.