Paul Laurence Dunbar was the first African-American poet to garner national critical acclaim. Paul was born in Dayton, Ohio, in 1872. Paul was prolific. He wrote dialect poems, librettos, English poems, essays, short stories,and other stuff before he died at the age of 33. His work addressed the difficulties encountered by members of his race. He wrote his first poem at age 6 and gave his first public recital at age 9. He was praised by the prominent literary critics and literary contemporaries. His mother was a former slave and his dad escaped from slavery. He served in the 55th Massachussets Colored Cavalry Regiment during the Civil War.He made a total of 426 poems before he died.
He have two different types of styles. He used the standard English of the classical poet and the evocative dialect of the turn-of-the-century black community in America. Many people say he was very talented in poetry. He was liked by many blacks and whites in his day. Favorite poem of mine A Negro Love Song by Paul Laurence Dunbar
Seen my lady home las' night, Jump back, honey, jump back. Hel' huh han' an' sque'z it tight, Jump back, honey, jump back. Hyeahd huh sigh a little sigh, Seen a light gleam f'om huh eye, An' a smile go flittin' by -- Jump back, honey, jump back. Hyeahd de win' blow thoo de pine, Jump back, honey, jump back. Mockin'-bird was singin' fine, Jump back, honey, jump back. An' my hea't was beatin' so, When I reached my lady's do', Dat I could n't ba' to go -- Jump back, honey, jump back.
Put my ahm aroun' huh wais', Jump back, honey, jump back. Raised huh lips an' took a tase, Jump back, honey, jump back. Love me, honey, love me true? Love me well ez I love you? An' she answe'd, "'Cose I do"-- Jump back, honey, jump back.
Least favorite poem of mine A Misty Dayby Paul Laurence Dunbar
A Misty Day
Heart of my heart, the day is chill, The mist hangs low o'er the wooded hill, The soft white mist and the heavy cloud The sun and the face of heaven shroud. The birds are thick in the dripping trees, That drop their pearls to the beggar breeze; No songs are rife where songs are wont, Each singer crouches in his haunt.
Heart of my heart, the day is chill, Whene'er thy loving voice is still, The cloud and mist hide the sky from me, Whene'er thy face I cannot see. My thoughts fly back from the chill without, My mind in the storm drops doubt on doubt, No songs arise. Without thee, love, My soul sinks down like a frightened dove.
Paul Laurence Dunbar was the first African-American poet to garner national critical acclaim. Paul was born in Dayton, Ohio, in 1872. Paul was prolific. He wrote dialect poems, librettos, English poems, essays, short stories,and other stuff before he died at the age of 33. His work addressed the difficulties encountered by members of his race. He wrote his first poem at age 6 and gave his first public recital at age 9. He was praised by the prominent literary critics and literary contemporaries. His mother was a former slave and his dad escaped from slavery. He served in the 55th Massachussets Colored Cavalry Regiment during the Civil War.He made a total of 426 poems before he died.
He have two different types of styles. He used the standard English of the classical poet and the evocative dialect of the turn-of-the-century black community in America. Many people say he was very talented in poetry. He was liked by many blacks and whites in his day. Favorite poem of mine
A Negro Love Song by Paul Laurence Dunbar
Seen my lady home las' night,
Jump back, honey, jump back.
Hel' huh han' an' sque'z it tight,
Jump back, honey, jump back.
Hyeahd huh sigh a little sigh,
Seen a light gleam f'om huh eye,
An' a smile go flittin' by --
Jump back, honey, jump back.
Hyeahd de win' blow thoo de pine,
Jump back, honey, jump back.
Mockin'-bird was singin' fine,
Jump back, honey, jump back.
An' my hea't was beatin' so,
When I reached my lady's do',
Dat I could n't ba' to go --
Jump back, honey, jump back.
Put my ahm aroun' huh wais',
Jump back, honey, jump back.
Raised huh lips an' took a tase,
Jump back, honey, jump back.
Love me, honey, love me true?
Love me well ez I love you?
An' she answe'd, "'Cose I do"--
Jump back, honey, jump back.
Least favorite poem of mine A Misty Day by Paul Laurence Dunbar
The mist hangs low o'er the wooded hill,
The soft white mist and the heavy cloud
The sun and the face of heaven shroud.
The birds are thick in the dripping trees,
That drop their pearls to the beggar breeze;
No songs are rife where songs are wont,
Each singer crouches in his haunt.
Heart of my heart, the day is chill,
Whene'er thy loving voice is still,
The cloud and mist hide the sky from me,
Whene'er thy face I cannot see.
My thoughts fly back from the chill without,
My mind in the storm drops doubt on doubt,
No songs arise. Without thee, love,
My soul sinks down like a frightened dove.