Jean Toomer

Jean Toomer (December 26, 1894 – March 30, 1967) was an American poet and novelist and an important figure of the Harlem Renaissance. Quotes Poems from Cane (1923) And there, a field rat, startled, squealing bleeds,His belly close to ground. I see the blade,Blood-stained, continue cutting weeds and shade from "Reapers" O singers, resinous and soft your songsAbove the sacred whisper of the pines,Give virgin lips to cornfield concubines,Bring dreams of Christ to dusky cane-lipped throngs. from "Georgia Dusk" Superstition sawSomething it had never seen before:Brown eyes that loved without a trace of fear,Beauty so sudden for that time of year. from "November Cotton Flower" One seed becomesAn everlasting song, a singing tree,Caroling softly souls of slavery,What they were, and what they are to me,Caroling softly souls of slavery. from "Song of the Son" External links Review of Portage Potential Review of Shadows of Heaven Modern American Poetry: Jean Toomer Essay on Cane Online Toomer bio Essay on Toomer and Class Category:Poets from the United States Category:1967 deaths Category:African Americans Category:Novelists from the United States Category:Quakers Category:People from Washington, D.C.