Caroling Dusk/A Black Man Talks of Reaping

by Arna Bontemps

A BLACK MAN TALKS OF REAPING

I have sown beside all waters in my day.I planted deep, within my heart the fearThat wind or fowl would take the grain away.I planted safe against this stark, lean year.

I scattered seed enough to plant the landIn rows from Canada to MexicoBut for my reaping only what the handCan hold at once is all that I can show.

Yet what I sowed and what the orchard yieldsMy brother’s sons are gathering stalk and root,Small wonder then my children glean in fieldsThey have not sown, and feed on bitter fruit.