The Green Beret by Ho Thien
‘The Green Beret’ is written by a Vietnamese poet Ho Thien. It described a tragic story of a Vietnamese boy whose father was killed by an American soldier named Green Beret.
Sudip Das Gupta
The Death of Slavery by William Cullen Bryant
‘The Death of Slavery,’ a poem by William Cullen Bryant is written just after the American Civil War ended. It talks about the personified slavery, whose reign has ended and the slaves are freed from shackles of bondage.
Miz Rosa Rides the Bus by Angela Jackson
‘Miz Rosa Rides the Bus’ is written by a prominent member of the Organization of Black American Culture (OBAC), Angela Jackson. It dates back to the late 19th century when the Jim Crow laws existed.
History as Process by Amiri Baraka
‘History as Process’ is one of the celebratory poems of Black History Month. It evaluates the history of the African-Americans and how it is important for the poet, Amiri Baraka.
A Brief History of Hostility by Jamaal May
‘A Brief History of Hostility’ is written by the modern African American poet Jamaal May. This poem explores the themes of oppression and war with an implied reference to slavery.
We Should Make a Documentary About Spades by Terrance Hayes
‘We Should Make a Documentary About Spades’ is written by contemporary American poet Terrance Hayes. This imaginary piece explores the theme of racism and implicitly comments on the history of Spades.
Praise Song for the Day by Elizabeth Alexander
Elizabeth Alexander read the poem, ‘Praise Song for the Day’ at the inauguration of President Barack Obama in 2009. It is an occasional poem praising the Americans’ role in nation-building.
Rape Joke by Patricia Lockwood
‘Rape Joke’ by Patricia Lockwood was published on the website The Awl in July 2013. In this prose-poem, Lockwood shares her memory of an incident of rape that happened with herself.
And Ut Pictura Poesis Is Her Name by John Ashbery
‘And Ut Pictura Poesis Is Her Name’ by John Ashbery is about poetry as an art form to express what’s in a creator’s mind. This piece focuses chiefly on the role of art and its nature.
Meditations in an Emergency by Frank O’Hara
‘Meditations in an Emergency’ appears in the book of poetry by Frank O’Hara, first published in 1957. This bitterly humorous piece deals with the theme of unrequited love.
One Today by Richard Blanco
‘One Today’ by Richard Blanco marked the day of Barack Obama’s second inauguration In 2013. This poem features how Americans collectively shape the nation with their hard work and tireless efforts.
Of History and Hope by Miller Williams
Stanley Miller Williams, also known as Miller Williams read the poem ‘Of History and Hope’ at the second inauguration of President Bill Clinton. This poem talks about the importance of history for the betterment of a nation like America.
On the Pulse of Morning by Maya Angelou
‘On the Pulse of Morning’, famous till today for the emotive and forceful recitation of the poem by Maya Angelou, is one of the U.S. presidential inauguration poems.
The Old Familiar Faces by Charles Lamb
‘The Old Familiar Faces’ is a poem written by the great essayist of the Romantic period, Charles Lamb. This poem features the theme of remembrance of the old days.
Address to Slavery by Samuel Wright
‘Address to Slavery’ by Samuel Wright was published in The Weekly Anglo-African on 18th February 1860. It is an impassioned address to the personified “slavery”.
The Negro Girl by Mary Darby Robinson
‘The Negro Girl’ is written by a celebrity poet of England, Mary Darby Robinson. This poem presents a lyrical story of a negro girl, Zelma, and her lover Draco, held captive for selling him as a slave.
Abolition of Slavery in the District of Columbia, 1862 by John Greenleaf Whittier
John Greenleaf Whittier’s ‘Abolition of Slavery in the District of Columbia, 1862’ is an optimistic poem on the end of slavery. This poem is about future hope and aspiration after slavery is abolished by the grace of God.
The Slave Singing at Midnight by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
‘The Slave Singing at Midnight’ was published in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poetry collection “Poems on Slavery”. This poem depicts a slave’s mental state grappled by the agony of captivity.
To Toussaint L’Ouverture by William Wordsworth
‘To Toussaint L’Ouverture’ by William Wordsworth is a sonnet dedicated to François-Dominique Toussaint Louverture, a renowned leader of the Haitian revolution. He transformed the slave rebellion into a revolutionary movement.
The Slave’s Lament by Robert Burns
‘The Slave’s Lament’ by Robert Burns is a song capturing the heart-wrenching pain of a slave enthralled from Senegal. This poem features the theme of the agony of captivity.
To the Right Honorable William, Earl of Dartmouth by Phillis Wheatley
‘To the Right Honorable William, Earl of Dartmouth’ is a eulogy written by the African-American poet Phillis Wheatley. This poem glorifies the humanitarian Earl for his contribution to the abolitionist cause.
