Who was Phyllis Wheatley? She was an African-American who was a slave but taught to read and write and showed a natural gift toward poetry. According to Wikipedia, she was born in West Africa, enslaved at about seven or eight, brought to the colonies where she was sold to the Wheatley family in Boston. This was quite fortunate (not the enslavement, but being sold to the Wheatley family) in that she was taught to read and write, and once showing talent in poetry was encouraged. Phyllis Wheatley was the first African-American to publish a book, titled, Poems on Various Subjects. Her masters even took her to London, which must have been a great experience for her.
PoetryFoundation also has a fuller biography (read this one if you’re only going to read one) and a brief analysis of her
poetic style.
Poems on Various Subjects revealed that Wheatley’s favorite poetic form was the couplet, both iambic pentameter and heroic. More than one-third of her canon is composed of elegies, poems on the deaths of noted persons, friends, or even strangers whose loved ones employed the poet. The poems that best demonstrate her abilities and are most often questioned by detractors are those that employ classical themes as well as techniques.
Upon
publication of her book, she was freed and went on to live a difficult and
relatively short life. But her life did
overlap the beginning of the Revolutionary War and she wrote this one poem in
praise of George Washington, the Commanding General of the Continental Army. I think it’s worth reading today on the
Fourth of July, 2022. This poem fits
right into Poetry Foundation’s
analysis.
His
Excellency General Washington
Phillis Wheatley (1753-1784)
Celestial choir! enthron'd in realms of
light,
Columbia's scenes of
glorious toils I write.
While freedom's cause her
anxious breast alarms,
She flashes dreadful in
refulgent arms.
See mother earth her
offspring's fate bemoan,
And nations gaze at
scenes before unknown!
See the bright beams of
heaven's revolving light
Involved in sorrows and
the veil of night!
The Goddess comes, she moves divinely fair,
Olive and laurel binds
Her golden hair:
Wherever shines this
native of the skies,
Unnumber'd charms and
recent graces rise.
Muse! Bow propitious while my pen relates
How pour her armies
through a thousand gates,
As when Eolus heaven's
fair face deforms,
Enwrapp'd in tempest and
a night of storms;
Astonish'd ocean feels
the wild uproar,
The refluent surges beat
the sounding shore;
Or think as leaves in
Autumn's golden reign,
Such, and so many, moves
the warrior's train.
In bright array they seek
the work of war,
Where high unfurl'd the
ensign waves in air.
Shall I to Washington
their praise recite?
Enough thou know'st them
in the fields of fight.
Thee, first in peace and
honors—we demand
The grace and glory of
thy martial band.
Fam'd for thy valour, for
thy virtues more,
Hear every tongue thy
guardian aid implore!
One century scarce perform'd its destined
round,
When Gallic powers
Columbia's fury found;
And so may you, whoever
dares disgrace
The land of freedom's
heaven-defended race!
Fix'd are the eyes of
nations on the scales,
For in their hopes
Columbia's arm prevails.
Anon Britannia droops the
pensive head,
While round increase the
rising hills of dead.
Ah! Cruel blindness to
Columbia's state!
Lament thy thirst of
boundless power too late.
Proceed, great chief, with virtue on thy
side,
Thy ev'ry action let the
Goddess guide.
A crown, a mansion, and a
throne that shine,
With gold unfading, WASHINGTON! Be thine.
You can hear the poem read if you prefer here.
I’m not a fan of 18th century poetry but this is as good as most of that era. Though educated, I can’t imagine she was sent to prominent teachers and had a disciplined education. She probably read a lot on her own and was self-taught. She seems like a wonderful woman. If I had the time I would love to read more about her. She needs to be better remembered. God bless her.
This short biographical video captures her story.
Happy Independence Day!
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