Countee Cullen

Countee Cullen (born Countee LeRoy Porter; May 30, 1903 – January 9, 1946) was an American poet, novelist, children's writer, and playwright, particularly well known during the Harlem Renaissance.

Quotes

Color (1925)

New York: Harper & Brothers

• Yet do I marvel at this curious thing:
  To make a poet black, and bid him sing!
  • "Yet Do I Marvel", p. 3

• What is Africa to me:
  Copper sun or scarlet sea,
  Jungle star or jungle track,
  Strong bronzed men, or regal black
  Women from whose loins I sprang
  When the birds of Eden sang?
  One three centuries removed
  From the scenes his fathers loved,
  Spicy grove, cinnamon tree,
  What is Africa to me?
  • "Heritage (For Harold Jackman)", p. 36 [Variant: 'Even' not 'Eden']

External links

• Encyclopedic article on Countee Cullen on Wikipedia