The loss of love is a terrible thing; They lie who say that death is worse. — Countee Cullen Death Copy Share Image
Whatever lives is granted breath But by the grace and sufferance of Death. — Countee Cullen Breaths Copy Share Image
Yet do I marvel at this curious thing:/ To make a poet black, and bid him sing! — Countee Cullen Copy Share Image
So in the dark we hide the heart that bleeds, And wait, and tend our agonizing seeds. — Countee Cullen Copy Share Image
The key to all strange things is in thy heart…/ My spirit has come home, that sailed the doubtful seas. — Countee Cullen Coming home Copy Share Image
“And if I please you so, my lover, Remember praise is comely.” — Countee Cullen Lover Copy Share Image
If I am going to be a poet at all, I am going to be POET and not NEGRO POET. — Countee Cullen Copy Share Image
I cut my teeth as the black raccoon-- For implements of battle. — Countee Cullen Battle Copy Share Image
All day long and all night through, One thing only must I do: Quench my pride and cool my blood, Lest I… — Countee Cullen Copy Share Image
[W]e have always resented the natural inclination of most white people to demand spirituals the moment it is known that a Negro… — Countee Cullen Demand Copy Share Image
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, So I make an idle boast; Jesus of the twice-turned cheek Lamb of God, although I speak… — Countee Cullen Boast Copy Share Image
There is no secret to success except hard work and getting something indefinable which we call 'the breaks.' In order for a… — Countee Cullen Copy Share Image
“I have no will to weep or sing, No least desire to pray or curse; The loss of love is a terrible… — Countee Cullen Death Copy Share Image
For we must be one thing or the other, an asset or a liability, the sinew in your wing to help you… — Countee Cullen Copy Share Image
The truth is... everything counts. Everything. Everything we do and everything we say. Everything helps or hurts; everything adds to or takes… — Countee Cullen Action Copy Share Image
Give but a grain of the heart's rich seed, Confine some under cover, And when love goes, bid him God-speed. And find… — Countee Cullen Giving Copy Share Image
“If You Should Go Love, leave me like the light, The gently passing day; We would not know, but for the night,… — Countee Cullen Love Copy Share Image
My poetry has become the way of my giving out what music is within me. — Countee Cullen Giving Copy Share Image
Ever at Thy glowing altar Must my heart grow sick and falter, Wishing He I served were black. — Countee Cullen Altars Copy Share Image
What is last year's snow to me, Last year's anything? The tree Budding yearly must forget How its past arose or set — Countee Cullen Copy Share Image
I was reared in the conservative atmosphere of a Methodist parsonage. — Countee Cullen Copy Share Image
There is no secret to success except hard work and getting something indefinable which we call 'the breaks. — Countee Cullen Copy Share Image
“My poetry, I think, has become the way of my giving out what music is within me” — Countee Cullen Music Copy Share Image
Lord, I fashion dark gods, too, Daring even to give You Dark despairing features — Countee Cullen Copy Share Image
The night whose sable breast relieves the stark, White stars, is no less lovely being dark — Countee Cullen Copy Share Image
What is Africa to me: Copper sun or scarlet sea, Jungle star or jungle track, Strong bronzed men, or regal black Women… — Countee Cullen Africa Copy Share Image
Not for myself I make this prayer, But for this race of mine That stretches forth from shadowed places Dark hands for… — Countee Cullen Bread Copy Share Image
Death cut the strings that gave me life, And handed me to Sorrow, The only kind of middle wife My folks could… — Countee Cullen Copy Share Image
![“[W]e have always resented the natural inclination of most white people to demand spirituals the moment it is known that a Negro is about to sing. So often the request has seemed to savor of the feeling that we could do this and this alone.” quote by Countee Cullen](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/94e/countee-cullen-16922_demand_w-e-have-always-resented-the-natural-inc_2231562.jpg)
