AT THE CLOSED GATE OF JUSTICE
BY JAMES D. CORROTHERS
TO be a Negro in a day like thisDemands forgiveness. Bruised with blow on blow,Betrayed, like him whose woe-dimmed eyes gave bliss,Still must one succor those who brought one low,To be a Negro in a day like this.To be a Negro in a day like thisDemands rare patience—patience that can waitIn utter darkness. ’Tis the path to miss,And knock, unheeded, at an iron gate,To be a Negro in a day like this.To be a Negro in a day like thisDemands strange loyalty. We serve a flagWhich is to us white freedom’s emphasis.Ah! one must love when truth and justice lag,To be a Negro in a day like this.To be a Negro in a day like this—Alas! Lord God, what evil have we done?Still shines the gate, all gold and amethyst,But I pass by, the glorious goal unwon,“Merely a Negro”—in a day likethis!
TO be a Negro in a day like thisDemands forgiveness. Bruised with blow on blow,Betrayed, like him whose woe-dimmed eyes gave bliss,Still must one succor those who brought one low,To be a Negro in a day like this.To be a Negro in a day like thisDemands rare patience—patience that can waitIn utter darkness. ’Tis the path to miss,And knock, unheeded, at an iron gate,To be a Negro in a day like this.To be a Negro in a day like thisDemands strange loyalty. We serve a flagWhich is to us white freedom’s emphasis.Ah! one must love when truth and justice lag,To be a Negro in a day like this.To be a Negro in a day like this—Alas! Lord God, what evil have we done?Still shines the gate, all gold and amethyst,But I pass by, the glorious goal unwon,“Merely a Negro”—in a day likethis!
TO be a Negro in a day like thisDemands forgiveness. Bruised with blow on blow,Betrayed, like him whose woe-dimmed eyes gave bliss,Still must one succor those who brought one low,To be a Negro in a day like this.
TO be a Negro in a day like this
Demands forgiveness. Bruised with blow on blow,
Betrayed, like him whose woe-dimmed eyes gave bliss,
Still must one succor those who brought one low,
To be a Negro in a day like this.
To be a Negro in a day like thisDemands rare patience—patience that can waitIn utter darkness. ’Tis the path to miss,And knock, unheeded, at an iron gate,To be a Negro in a day like this.
To be a Negro in a day like this
Demands rare patience—patience that can wait
In utter darkness. ’Tis the path to miss,
And knock, unheeded, at an iron gate,
To be a Negro in a day like this.
To be a Negro in a day like thisDemands strange loyalty. We serve a flagWhich is to us white freedom’s emphasis.Ah! one must love when truth and justice lag,To be a Negro in a day like this.
To be a Negro in a day like this
Demands strange loyalty. We serve a flag
Which is to us white freedom’s emphasis.
Ah! one must love when truth and justice lag,
To be a Negro in a day like this.
To be a Negro in a day like this—Alas! Lord God, what evil have we done?Still shines the gate, all gold and amethyst,But I pass by, the glorious goal unwon,“Merely a Negro”—in a day likethis!
To be a Negro in a day like this—
Alas! Lord God, what evil have we done?
Still shines the gate, all gold and amethyst,
But I pass by, the glorious goal unwon,
“Merely a Negro”—in a day likethis!