Sonnet by James Weldon Johnson

Sonnet

by James Weldon Johnson

My heart be brave, and do not falter so,   

Nor utter more that deep, despairing wail.   

Thy way is very dark and drear I know,   

But do not let thy strength and courage fail;   

For certain as the raven-winged night

Is followed by the bright and blushing morn,   

Thy coming morrow will be clear and bright;   

’Tis darkest when the night is furthest worn.   

Look up, and out, beyond, surrounding clouds,   

And do not in thine own gross darkness grope,   

Rise up, and casting off thy hind’ring shrouds,   

Cling thou to this, and ever inspiring hope:

   Tho’ thick the battle and tho’ fierce the fight,

   There is a power making for the right.

James Weldon Johnson was not only a great Harlem Renaissance write (poetry and prose); he was also a civil rights activist, a professor, a speaker, an organizer, a songwriter, a diplomat, an official in the NAACP, a lawyer, and a playwright.

This poem, a sonnet in the traditional English/Shakespearean form, provides insight into what I imagine Johnson's attitude was towards life. It is one of those poems that folks should print out and tape to their bathroom mirrors to read on tough days, during rough times, or in those moments when we need to be reminded that fighting for what is right is its own power, and we gain strength in those righteous battles.

That message of strength is why I chose this poem, a few days into our new year. The future will have conflicts, the oppressed need to be helped, and there will be dark nights filled with clouds. But a "bright and blushing morn" will follow, and "inspiring hope" will help get us there.

You can read about Johnson in numerous places online; here are a few:

NAACP

Poetry Foundation

Wikipedia

The James Weldon Johnson Institute

The New York Times