Collected Poems of Sterling a. Brown

Sterling A. Brown (1901-1989) was one of the most important and influential figures in the development of African-American literature and criticism in the twentieth century. Born in Washington, D.C., he became not only a poet but a folklorist, anthologist, critic, and reviewer. Brown was a professor at Howard University for forty years.   Michael S. Harper (1938-2016) was a celebrated poet and professor. The first poet laureate of Rhode Island, he taught at Brown University from 1970 to 2013.  Cornelius Eady is the author of numerous books of poetry, including Hardheaded Weather and The Gathering of My Name. He is the co-founder of Cave Canem.

• Foreword by Cornelius EadyPreface by Michael S. HarperSouthern RoadIntroduction by Sterling StuckeyIntroduction to the first edition by James Weldon JohnsonPart One: ROAD SO ROCKYOdyssey of Big BoyLong GoneMaumee RuthWhen de Saints Go Ma'ching HomeDark of the MoonSeeking ReligionGeorgie GrimesScotty Has His SayRuminations of Luke JohnsonVirginia PortraitOld Man BuzzardJohnny ThomasFrankie and JohnnySam SmileyTo Sallie, WalkingBessieKentucky BluesMister Samuel and SamSouthern RoadSister LouStrong MenPart Two: ON RESTLESS RIVERMemphis BluesMa RaineyOld King CottonChildren of the MississippiNew St. Louis BluesForeclosureCheckersMoseAfter WinterPardnersSlim GreerSlim Lands a Job?Slim in AtlantaSlim Hears "The Call"Slim in HellNew Steps ConvictStrange LegaciesRevelationsRiverbank BluesPart Three: TIN ROOF BLUESTin Roof BluesEffieChildren's ChildrenMeccaChillen Get ShoesFuneralHarlem Street WalkersSporting BeasleyCabaretPart Four: VESTIGESSalutamusTo a Certain Lady, in Her GardenChallengeTelling FortunesRain ReturnNous n'irons plus au bois . . .Thoughts of DeathAgainst That DayMill MountainThe Last Ride of Wild BillThe Last Ride of Wild BillHe Was a ManElder MistletoeCrispus Attucks McKoyA Bad, Bad ManBreak of DayRent Day BluesThe Ballad of Joe MeekNo Hiding PlacePart One: HARLEM STOPOVERHarlem HappinessNegro Improvement LeagueThe TempleRoberta LeeReal mammy SongThe Law for GeorgeThe New CongoPart Two: THE COTTON SOUTHArkansas ChantThe Young OnesOld LemSharecroppersMaster and ManPart Three: DOWN IN ATLANTASouthern CopMr. DannyAn Old Woman RemembersTransferEpisodeAll Are GayPart Four: "ROCKS CRIED OUT"LegendBitter Fruit of the TreeMemo: For the Race OratorsCrossingCall for BarnumSong of TriumphRemembering Nat TurnerPart Five: ROAD TO THE LEFTRaise a SongColloquyStreet Car GangSide by SidePart Six: FRILOT COVELet Us SupposeCloteelParish DoctorUncle JoeLouisiana PastoralPart Seven: WASHINGTON, D.C.Glory, GloryChoicesNo More Worlds to ConquerCall BoyPuttin' on DogPart Eight: REMEMBRANCESApril in CoolwellCoolwell VignetteHoney Mah LoveMemories of SalemIdyllOne Way of Taking LeaveIsaiah to MandyConjuredLong Track BluesAn Annotated Bibliography by Robert G. O'Meally

Sterling Brown's poetry should be in print in perpetuity. Its meanings, legends, melodies, and mythologies could only have been shaped by a Black American throat. Sterling Brown's poems have the power of revival music, the declaration of great oratory, and the sonorous crooning of a young man in love." - Maya Angelou