2021 Reprint of the 1925 Edition. Facsimile of the original edition and not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software. This is Cullen's first book of verse, with 73 poems by this "central figure in the Harlem Renaissance," "With the publication of his first volume of poems in 1925, Color, Countee Cullen assumed the place of a central figure in the Harlem Renaissance. The book states the themes-the injustice of color-prejudice, the black man's African legacy, religious doubt and belief-that were to dominate his work over the 20 years until his death" (Hamilton, 109). "Cullen was one of the most brilliant of the young poets of the era between the two World Wars... His roots went very deep into lyric soil" (New York Times).
Partial contents ; Yet do I marvel -- Brown boy to brown girl -- Atlantic City waiter -- Harlem wine -- Incident -- Two who crossed a line -- Saturday's child -- Fruit of the flower -- Heritage -- For a poet -- For a singer -- For a fool -- For daughters of Magdalen -- For John Keats, apostle of beauty -- For Joseph Conrad -- All the dead -- Oh, for a little while be kind -- Caprice -- Spring reminiscence -- Suicide chant -- Mary, mother of Christ -- To my friends -- Requiescam.