“This book is the child of a bitter earth-wound.”

Presenting racial grief as the ground from which the book emerged · Author's note prefacing a verse collection, 1922

• Art
• Despair

“But, lest we forget, we must now and then come down to earth, accept the yoke and help draw the load.”

Balances soaring lyric with the duty of shared struggle · Letter to Arna Bontemps, 1941

• Duty
• Responsibility
• Solidarity

“This book is lovingly dedicated to Zona Gale whose appreciation, encouragement and helpful criticism have so heartened me.”

Publicly credits a fellow writer’s support as courage for the book · Dedication, An Autumn Love Cycle (1928)

• Criticism
• Encouragement
• Friendship