Copper Sun

Abstract

Poet, playwright, novelist, graduate of DeWitt Clinton High, New York University, and Harvard University, Countee Cullen (1903–1946) emerged as a leading literary figure of the Harlem Renaissance. Copper Sun, his second book of poetry, explores the emotional consequences of being black, Christian, bisexual, and a poet in Jazz Age America—such as in the following “Confession”: If for a day joy masters me, Think not my wounds are healed; Far deeper than the scars you see, I keep the roots concealed. They shall bear blossoms with the fall; I have their word for this, Who tend my roots with rains of gall, And suns of prejudice. Countee Cullen’s poetry is illustrated with 16 decorative cuts created by Charles Cullen (no relation to the poet) in extravagant Art Deco style. Contents: I. COLOR : FROM THE DARK TOWER • THRENODY FOR A BROWN GIRL • CONFESSION • UNCLE JIM • COLORED BLUES SINGER • COLORS • THE LITANY OF THE DARK PEOPLE II. THE DEEP IN LOVE : PITY THE DEEP IN LOVE • ONE DAY WE PLAYED A GAME • TIMID LOVER • NOCTURNE • WORDS TO MY LOVE • EN PASSANT • VARIATIONS ON A THEME • A SONG OF SOUR GRAPES • IN MEMORIAM • LAMENT • IF LOVE BE STAUNCH • THE SPARK • SONG OF THE REJECTED LOVER • TO ONE WHO WAS CRUEL • SONNET TO A SCORNFUL LADY • THE LOVE TREE III. AT CAMBRIDGE: THE WIND BLOWETH WHERE IT LISTETH • THOUGHTS IN A ZOO • TWO THOUGHTS OF DEATH • THE POET PUTS HIS HEART TO SCHOOL • LOVE'S WAY • PORTRAIT OF A LOVER • AN OLD STORY • TO LOVERS OF EARTH: FAIR WARNING IV. VARIA: IN SPITE OF DEATH • COR CORDIUM • LINES TO MY FATHER • PROTEST • AN EPITAPH • SCANDAL AND GOSSIP • YOUTH SINGS A SONG OF ROSEBUDS • HUNGER • LINES TO OUR ELDERS • THE POET • MORE THAN A FOOL'S SONG • AND WHEN I THINK • ADVICE TO A BEAUTY • ULTIMATUM • LINES WRITTEN IN JERUSALEM • ON THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA • MILLENNIAL • AT THE WAILING WALL IN JERUSALEM • TO ENDYMION • EPILOGUE V. JUVENILIA: OPEN DOOR • DISENCHANTMENT • LEAVES • SONG • THE TOUCH • A POEM ONCE SIGNIFICANT, NOW HAPPILY NOT • UNDER THE MISTLETOE