God Give to Men - A poem by Arna Bontemps

Arna Bontemps - God Give to Men

God give the yellow man
an easy breeze at blossom time.
Grant his eager, slanting eyes to cover
every land and dream
of afterwhile. 

Give blue-eyed men their swivel chairs
to whirl in tall buildings.
Allow them many ships at sea,
and on land, soldiers
and policemen.

For black man, God,
no need to bother more
but only fill afresh his meed
of laughter,
his cup of tears.

God suffer little men
the taste of soul's desire.

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Added: Jan 31 2004 | Viewed: 15586 times |

Comments (6)

God Give to Men - Comments and Information
Poet: Arna Bontemps Poem: God Give to Men Poem of the Day: Aug 28 2000 Comment 6 of 6, added on May 15th, 2009 at 1:42 PM. This poem represents the oppression put on the black man that we were never given anything but we still stride for greatness and ask the lord to hear our cries Calvin from United States Comment 5 of 6, added on March 24th, 2009 at 1:59 AM. i found this poem quiet interesting to do my English assignment. Hanan from United States Comment 4 of 6, added on May 17th, 2008 at 1:17 AM. This is one of many deep poems I have read in quite some time. It characterizes men of all races and it speaks truth even today. It is evident that the same still holds true today - through all the struggles that the Black American man has endured. When will this world as we know it will make every man equal (Rhetorical question). I love how he talked about how this world is shaped and molded people into thinking about the different races. My how some things never change. GOD help us all! Kat from United States More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, God Give to Men, has received 6 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own.

Poem Info
Poet: Arna Bontemps Poem: God Give to Men Last read: 2013-05-23 11:41:23 Poem of the Day: Aug 28 2000 Viewed 15586 times. Added Jan 31 2004.

Bontemps Info
Biography More Poems (7 poems) Arna Bontemps books