Locked arm in arm they cross the way
The black boy and the white,
The golden splendor of the day
The sable pride of night.
From lowered blinds the dark folk stare
And here the fair folk talk,
Indignant that these two should dare
In unison to walk.
Oblivious to look and word
They pass, and see no wonder
That lightning brilliant as a sword
Should blaze the path of thunder.
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Cullen, was a master of rhyme and meter, as this poem can well attest, much of his work is overlooked as both rhyme and meter have fallen out of favor these last 70 years.. . A great poem.
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Awesome!!
Children are oblivious to prejudice, they only learn it through adult prejudices. They do not look and they don't wonder, all they are are two little boys who see nothing more than a world of childish curiosities while adults have to hide behind blinds to conceal their shame. -
wow
From guest nakeia (contact)
i am so confused i reall dont understand this poem it's really crazy!!!!! -
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Refer back to when this poem was written. 1928 - check in your history books about the racial hatred of the time. It would have been unusual for a black and white boy to be friends - however they were friends and they don't see the colour of the skin - they are looking much deeper than that - right into the heart of their friend. They are being judged by others but, together they are strong and regardless of obstacles their friendship continues.
The poets description of the boys is just marvellous. The golden splendor of the day, The sable pride of night..
A poem about friendship that is not tainted by predujice - a worthy addition to this poets collection.
~Von - Oldpoetry -
Nakeia
Have you read the other comments about this poem, Tableau?
Charley Noble
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not gay
From guest Lily (contact)
countee cullen's main goal in life was to be accpeted as just a poet, not a black poet. so it would be completely illogical that he directly constructed his two young characters as homosexuals due to the descrimination he would have recieved in context with this poem. he would not have had any intention of his two characters being gay. however, it would be completely legitimate to argue that in a broader reading, the black and white boy could be refering to any marginalised group (such as homosexuals) and the black and white group could symbolise different cliques in society representing different values. the reader has total right to their interpretation, but really, there is no chance he had the intention of this being a poem regarding homosexuals. -
From guest carly (contact)
From this poem i guess that the boys are not lovers but just friends they are walking arm and arm a white boy and a black boy. Back than that was not supposed to happen so i think that the boys are really young and don't know yet what racism is that is why they don't think anything of it walking arm by arm. they don't see color all they care about is they have a friend. I think the poem is trying to say that racisms is not something that you are born knowing but something you learn. -
"the black boy and the white,"
From guest allen (contact)
I'd like to point out that this is most likely about a homosexual relationship, as Cullen was Gay. that's not a slander, it's just a fact. the fact also should not detract from how brilliant this poem is. -
Last two lines
From guest Evan (contact)
That lightning brilliant as a sword --Should blaze the path of thunder. The lightening is the friendship between these two boys that has no color boundaries; it is brilliant as a sword, sharp and strong. If that holds true and I believe it does, then the thunder that follows lightening can blaze a path for others to follow. -
tableau
From guest goodoy (contact)
it a wonderful poem and it express the naturalistic and great friendship -
Lightning and Thunder
I think that the lightning is the two boys and their strong friendship. The thunder symbolizes the people who are against these two boys being friends. By sayubg "lightning brilliant as a sword should blaze the path of thunder" it means that their friendship is strong enough to block out any racial comments. -
last 2 lines
From guest kevin (contact)
i would say that the lightning is their friendship and the thunder is society's racism and prejudice. that is what makes sense to me. and also i say that they are just friends, not gays, because this takes place in a time of racism -
Lovers?
From guest MIke (contact)
I think you are a little off in your conclusion. THe poem is not about "love" but freindship. "Locked arm in arm" is a dated expression. It in no way is supposed to be a gay relationship. The chilldren are unaware of the silent protest that goes on, thus they "see no wonder" that a white boy (described as thunder, the one who is seen,) should walk along with a black boy(thunder the one who is not seen) -
the last 2 lines
From guest msfairoaks (contact)
The lightning is referring to the white boy. The thunder refers to the black. It usually lightnings across a dark sky or blazes the path (hence them locked arm in arm). -
To Lizzie
From guest Erin (contact)
I never saw that before but I think your right, the boys are lovers. And your view fo the "path of thunder" is really unique, i think he is comparing the "lightning" to love. Great Job!!! -
Deep it is
From guest Lizzie (contact)
I think the poem can be interprated as the to boys being lovers and both of thier worlds disaproving. The last two lines are meant to say, at least I think thier menat to say, that despite all this disaproval and "thunder" that thier path holds the sword of ligtning that is thier love can go on unabatted. But thats just my inperpration. -
This poem is deep
Does anyone know what the last two lines mean?
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Cullen may mean that in spite of protest from "dark and fair folk", his words manage to keep the two friends "locked arm in arm", in "unison". Most often the sword is used in reference to "the pen". It is mighty, and often the more valiant weapon.
Renee
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Tableau
I assume they refer to all the violence and vituperation caused by the friendship he is depicting.
Jim S
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