People - A poem by Jean Toomer


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Jean Toomer - People

To those fixed on white,
White is white,
To those fixed on black,
It is the same,
And red is red,
Yellow, yellow-
Surely there are such sights
In the many colored world,
Or in the mind.
The strange thing is that
These people never see themselves
Or you, or me.

Are they not in their minds?
Are we not in the world?
This is a curious blindness
For those that are color blind.
What queer beliefs
That men who believe in sights
Disbelieve in seers.

O people, if you but used
Your other eyes
You would see beings.

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Added: Apr 8 2005 | Viewed: 8471 times |

Comments (3)

People - Comments and Information
Poet: Jean Toomer Poem: People Poem of the Day: Oct 2 2008 Comment 3 of 3, added on July 29th, 2011 at 11:22 AM. qNMlCaARoUmaM I cnanot tell a lie, that really helped. Keisha from Argentina Comment 2 of 3, added on April 9th, 2006 at 6:24 AM. I teach in a school where there are some 23 different nationalities represented. In English we have been studying Racial Prejudice, I thought this poem was apt. A lot of my students have been posing similar questions about what is colour. I will read this poem tomorrow and see what they think. Any other suggestions? Helen Bhatia from Australia Comment 1 of 3, added on April 5th, 2006 at 4:48 PM. What does this poem mean, and how does it relate to the time period of the 1920s and the Harlem Renaissance? Some analysis would be appreciated. Neil More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, People, has received 3 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own.

Poem Info
Poet: Jean Toomer Poem: People Last read: 2013-06-19 22:55:11 Poem of the Day: Oct 2 2008 Viewed 8471 times. Added Apr 8 2005.

Toomer Info
Biography More Poems (17 poems) Jean Toomer books