"Originally published in 1970 and long unavailable, Dark Testament and Other Poems attests to Pauli Murray's fierce lyrical powers. At turns song, prayer, and lamentation, Murray's poems speak to the brutal history of slavery and Jim Crow and the dream of racial justice and equality"-- Provided by publisher.
Contents:
Dark testament -- "I am the American heartbreak." -- Color trouble -- To the oppressors -- Mulatto's dilemma -- Mr. Roosevelt regrets -- Harlem riot, 1943 -- The passing of F.D.R. -- Collect for Poplarville -- For Mack C. Parker -- Ruth -- Psalm of deliverance -- "I . . . am not contain'd between my hat and my boots." -- Youth to age -- Youth, 1933 -- The newer cry -- Hate -- Quarrel -- To poets who have rebelled -- Tongues -- The song of the highway -- Conscription; 1940 -- War widow -- Woman and man -- Nazarene -- Death of a friend -- Conflict -- Prophecy -- Without name -- Tears -- Counsel -- Dinner for three -- Prelude to spring -- Love's more enduring uses -- Icarus -- Of death and doom -- Words -- Aloofness -- Empty of seed -- Paradox -- For Pan -- Anguish -- A presence -- Memo in bronze -- Returning spring -- Unconquerable dust -- The wanderer -- Conquest -- Love in wartime -- Redemption.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.