In 1923, Jean Toomer impressed the literary world that year with his publication, Cane. This mixture of poetry and prose based on his experiences in Georgia and Washington, D.C. had instant success. There was also a young lady at that time by the name of Gwendolyn B. Bennett (1902-1981). She had also spent a significant time in Washington before moving to Harlem. Her poem, Heritage was published Crisis magazine. I came across her name after doing a search on "little known writers of the Harlem Renaissance."
I found her poetry to be heart felt and very lyrical. This is my favorite:
To A Dark Girl
by: Gwendolyn B. Bennett
I love you for your brownness,
And the rounded darkness of your breast,
I love you for the breaking sadness in your voice
And shadows where your wayward eyelids rest.
Something of old forgotten queens
Lurks in the lithe abandon of your walk
And something of the shackled slave
Sobs in the rhythm of your talk.
Oh, little brown girl, born for sorrow's mate,
Keep all you have of queenliness,
Forgetting that you once were slave,
And let your full lips laugh at Fate!
Photo: Heritage Trail poster on U Street by S. Bess
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