African American Poetry (1870-1928): 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: Mission Statement, Contributors, and Recent UpdatesFurther Reading / Works CitedAmardeep Singhc185e79df2fca428277052b90841c4aba30044e1
William Pickens "The Crisis" (1914)
1media/William-Pickens-The-Crisis-poem-The-Crisis-Vol-8-No-1-May-1914- (1)_thumb.png2022-06-10T09:32:31-04:00Amardeep Singhc185e79df2fca428277052b90841c4aba30044e12131Poem in "The Crisis" (May 1914)plain2022-06-10T09:32:31-04:00Amardeep Singhc185e79df2fca428277052b90841c4aba30044e1
Thou quiv’ring tongue of fire! Bring to our land a Pentecost, The hearts of men inspire To gain once more the freedom they have lost. And fire with pristine courage sire and son, Burn on. Thou flaring sheet of flame! Burn like a startling come of high, Forewarning in God’s name And writing truth on our deceptive sky Whose quiet aspect has another mien Unseen. Thou whetted sword of truth! Thou brandished sword make tyrants shake, But stalwart men and youth From the oppressed are rising up to break The bonds of bondage and the bars of caste. At last. Thou freedoms clarion call! Wake the oppressed, ring in their ears, Call them to rally all As one, unite their strength, shake off their fears, And fight till freedom’s battles are won– Call on! Thou mighty “still, small voice!” Speak on till thou art clearly heard! Let the oppressed rejoice And the oppressor tremble at thy word, Until the truth is known and justice is done Speak on!
Published in The Crisis. May 1914 Retyped by Christian Farrior