Countee Cullen / A Brown Girl Dead

A BROWN GIRL DEAD 

by Countee Cullen

With two white roses on her breasts,
White candles at head and feet,
Dark Madonna of the grave she rests;
Lord Death has found her sweet.

Her mother pawned her wedding ring
To lay her out in white;
She'd be so proud she'd dance and sing
to see herself tonight.

Countee Cullen / For A Poet

Coutee Cullen

For A Poet

by Countee Cullen

Coutee Cullen / Para un poeta

I have wrapped my dreams in a silken cloth,
And laid them away in a box of gold;
Where long will cling the lips of the moth,
I have wrapped my dreams in a silken cloth;
I hide no hate, I am not even wroth
Who found earth's breath so keen and cold;
I have wrapped my dreams in a silken cloth,
And laid them away in a box of gold.

Coutee Cullen

Color, 1925

Countee Cullen / For a lady I know

For a lady I know

by Countee Cullen

Counteen Cullen / Para una dama que conozco 

Counteen Cullen / Para uma dama que eu conheço 

Countee Cullen / Per una signora che conosco 

She even thinks that up in heaven
       Her class lies late and snores,

While poor black cherubs rise at seven
.       To do celestial chores