| James Weldon Johnson, ed. (1871–1938). The Book of American Negro Poetry. 1922. |
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| The Road to the Bow |
| | | James D. Corrothers |
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| EVER and ever anon, | |
| After the black storm, the eternal, beauteous bow! | |
| Brother, to rosy-painted mists that arch beyond, | |
| Blithely I go. | |
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| My brows men laureled and my lyre | 5 |
| Twined with immortal ivy for one little rippling song; | |
| My “House of Golden Leaves” they praised and “passionate fire”— | |
| But, Friend, the way is long! | |
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| Onward and onward, up! away! | |
| Though Fear flaunt all his banners in my face, | 10 |
| And my feet stumble, lo! the Orphean Day! | |
| Forward by God’s grace! | |
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| These signs are still before me: “Fear,” | |
| “Danger,” “Unprecedented,” and I hear black “No” | |
| Still thundering, and “Churl.” Good Friend, I rest me here— | 15 |
| Then to the glittering bow! | |
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| Loometh and cometh Hate in wrath, | |
| Mailed Wrong, swart Servitude and Shame with bitter rue, | |
| Nathless a Negro poet’s feet must tread the path | |
| The winged god knew. | 20 |
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| Thus, my true Brother, dream-led, I | |
| Forefend the anathema, following the span. | |
| I hold my head as proudly high | |
| As any man. | |
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