Poet & Poetess BiographiesMaster Poets & Poetesses have bestowed upon us their poetic hues, graceful talents and prolific writings. You will find their biographies and sample writings here. Poetry: Saturday's Child, Thoughts in a Zoo, Yet Do I Marvel
Countee Cullen (Black Poet 1903 - 1946)
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Countee Cullen was born with the name Countee LeRoy Porter and was abandoned by his parents at birth. Adopted by a reverend and raised in a Methodist parsonage, it is unclear where he was actually born; He was very secretive about his life.
A brilliant student, Cullen began writing poetry at age 14 and went on to become Vice President of his class during his senior year. He was also involved in the school magazine as an editor, and was affiliated with the Arista Honor Society. Later -- as a student at New York University -- he wrote most of the poems in his first three books: Color, Copper Sun, and The Ballad of the Brown Girl.
Cullen was married and awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1928. Two years later Nina Yolande Du Bois (daughter of the famous W.E.B. Du Bois) divorced him, saying that he told her that he was sexually attracted to men. He later went on to marry Ida Mae Roberson and they enjoyed a content marriage.
Cullen became a prominent poet of the Harlem Renaissance, although some of his peers criticized him for avoiding political and social issues.
Some delve down like the mole far underground,
(Their nature is to burrow, not to bound),
Some, like the snake, with changeless slothful eye,
Stir not, but sleep and smoulder where they lie.
Who is most wretched, these caged ones, or we,
Caught in a vastness beyond our sight to see?
Tribute.
No doubt a Masterful Poet with such a curious insight.
Strange, wondersome, brilliantly true
To have thrived, work travailed throughout such plight,
Ultimately laborious journey.
Resolved!
That we may seek such heights, poetically unfeigned.
Inscrutable His ways are, and immune
To catechism by a mind too strewn
With petty cares to slightly understand
What awful brain compels His awful hand.
Yet do I marvel at this curious thing:
To make a poet black, and bid him sing!
Quote:
Originally Posted by MsJacquiiC
Some are teethed on a silver spoon,
With the stars strung for a rattle;
I cut my teeth as the black raccoon—
For implements of battle.
OMG! I read the first stanza and thought the same! Wow! So sorry for the exclamations but that's the only words which would come at first! The imagery, so vivid! The feelings so strong! The words, so deliberate! He died too damned young!
This is so powerful and I'm glad you posted it here, Jacquii!
No doubt a Masterful Poet with such a curious insight.
Strange, wondersome, brilliantly true
To have thrived, work travailed throughout such plight,
Ultimately laborious journey.
Resolved!
That we may seek such heights, poetically unfeigned.
Happy National Poetry Month!
Jacquii.
Oh Ms Jacquii......this is a fine post and tribute for NPM! We studied him in college along with others...and the words still linger..powerful, poignant, and personal.
The imagery, so vivid! The feelings so strong! The words, so deliberate! He died too damned young!
This is so powerful and I'm glad you posted it here, Jacquii!
hugs,
Gail
Too young no doubt! You're very welcome MS GAIL - I think to post a tribute daily for the month actually - but got off to a late start lol - thought I would begin with Cullen - A brilliant poet and lesser known star of the Harlem Renaissance.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PaintedDiary
Oh Ms Jacquii......this is a fine post and tribute for NPM! We studied him in college along with others...and the words still linger..powerful, poignant, and personal.
Awesome share!!
Kim
YES! Personal lyrics no doubt - I was so happy to have come across some info about him and his astute poetic testimony - I just had to share it!
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