We are each other’s harvest; we are each other’s business; we are each other’s magnitude and bond. GWENDOLYN BROOKS BondBusinessEach OtherFriendshipRelationship
The forties and fifties were years of high poet-incense; the language-flowers were thickly sweet. Those flowers whined and begged white folks to pick them, to find them lovable. Then the ’60s: Independent fire! GWENDOLYN BROOKS FireFlowerIndependentLanguagePoetSweet
We real cool. We Left school. We Lurk late. We Strike straight. We Sing sin. We Thin gin. We Jazz June. We Die soon. GWENDOLYN BROOKS CoolDeathRealitySing
And if sun comes how shall we greet him? shall we not dread him, shall we not fear him after so lengthy a session with shade? GWENDOLYN BROOKS ComeFearGreetHimselfSessionSun
This is the urgency: Live! and have your blooming in the noise of the whirlwind. GWENDOLYN BROOKS LiveNoiseUrgentWorldYourself
People are so in need, in need of help. People want so much that they do not know. GWENDOLYN BROOKS HelpKnowledgeNeedPeople
I am interested in telling my particular truth as I have seen it. GWENDOLYN BROOKS InterestMyselfSeeTruth
There are no magics or elves or timely godmothers to guide us. We are lost, must wizard a track through our own screaming weed. GWENDOLYN BROOKS GuideLostMagicScreamTime