James W. Johnson

After reading both "O Black and Unknown Bards" & "The White Witch" I got a sense of rhythm and song from his writing. Johnson's words were easy to follow in these two poems for me as well. The lines 9-16 from "O Black and Unknown Bards", showed Johnson's spiritual feelings and views of his ancestries path.
Heart of what slave poured out such melody
As “Steal away to Jesus”? On its strains 10
His spirit must have nightly floated free,
Though still about his hands he felt his chains.
Who heard great “Jordan roll”? Whose starward eye
Saw chariot “swing low”? And who was he
That breathed that comforting, melodic sigh, 15
“Nobody knows de trouble I see”?

I can only envision what the early twentieth century was like from books, television and movies. These poems brought out feelings and emotions Johnson shared with the world of his culture, background and spirituality. Both poems are laced with strings that are being pulled back and forth on these three topics.

I enjoyed this step back into time through Johnson's poems.