Black Moods

Frank Marshall Davis (1905–87) was an editor, reporter, columnist, and critic. His poetry collections include Black Man's Verse (1935), I Am the American Negro (1937), and 47th Street: Poems (1948). John Edgar Tidwell is an associate professor of English at the University of Kansas.

"What makes reading Davis' poetry worthwhile is his vivid use of imagery, which operates as the engine behind his writing. . . . Tidwell rightfully proclaims that Frank Marshall Davis is a powerful voice that should not be forgotten."--Michael V. Williams, Black Issues Book Review"Davis is unforgettable when he is fierce. . . . The blues of Frank Marshall Davis weren't the blues of self-pity or mourning . . . but of tempered strength."--Roger Martin, The Topeka Capital-Journal"With the publication of Black Moods, Tidwell calls not only for the inclusion of Frank Marshall Davis in the still-emerging canon of African American literature, but also for more searching analysis of the ongoing debates about art and politics that continue to shape our understanding of African American literary history. In this regard the publication of Black Moods is a cause for celebration; it adds another important building block to the ongoing project of retrieving a central legacy in twentieth-century African American writing."--African American Review

• CoverTitleCopyrightContentsAcknowledgmentsChronologyIntroduction: Weaving Jagged Words into SongNote on the TextBlack Man's Verse (1935)IntroductionChicago's CongoOnly My WordsWhat Do You Want America?I Sing No New SongsLynchedRainGary, IndianaJazz BandMojo Mike's Beer GardenCabaretReturnedFive Portraits of Chicago at NightHands of a Brown WomanCreationWhich One?LullabydeathGeorgia's AtlantaPortrait of an Old WomanSouth State Street ProfileIII. QueryVI. FailureVIII. April NightI. TrystII. To YouIII. Love Notes at NightIV. The Story EndsV. RealizationII. Goldie BlackwellV. Arthur Ridgewood, M.D.VII. Giles Johnson, Ph.D.VIII. Roosevelt SmithI Am the American Negro (1937)I Am the American NegroDancing GalFlowers of DarknessThey All Had Grand IdeasChrist Is a Dixie NiggerWashington Park, ChicagoNote Left by a SuicideTo One Who Would Leave Me'Mancipation DayNotes on a Summer NightAwakeningCome to MeModern Man—the SupermanTwo WomenMidsummer MornII. Sam JacksonIV. Cleo and Sarah GreeleyVI. Nicodemus PerryVII. Mrs. Clifton TownsendVIII. Editor Ralph WilliamsonIX. Frank Marshall Davis: Writer47th Street: Poems (1948)Foreword47th StreetSnapshots of the Cotton SouthPattern for ConquestBlack WearinessEgotistic RuntChicago SkyscrapersTenement RoomFour Glimpses of NightTo Those Who Sing AmericaPeace Quiz for AmericaFor All Common PeopleWar ZoneNothing Can Stop the PeopleI Bring Proven GiftsLines to a Summer LoveTo One Forever GoneTo LoreleiLife Is a WomanYou Are AllCoincidenceMan of ScienceAdam SmothersSpinster: OldI Have Talked with DeathSelf PortraitPeace Is a Fragile CupUncollected and Unpublished Poems, 1948–84To the Red ArmyCreed for HedonistsOurs Is a Modern GodLittle and BigGive Us Our Freedom Now!FinalityTo Those Seeking FameBlack AmericanThree Average AmericansMiss Samantha WilsonTo a Young ManBillie HolidayDuke EllingtonCharlie ParkerLouis ArmstrongLady Day"Swing It Brother Swing"This Is ParadiseMoonlight at Kahana BayTale of Two DogsPacific Invasion1. Lani3. Mamie6. Mary7. Mrs. ———9. Eloise12. Betty15. Agnes18. Flo20. Wilma22. Hannah23. Charity25. Trudy27. Rita30. Jean31. Patty33. Olive35. Josephine36. Verna37. Essie MaeTo Helen[In What Strange Place]To My OwnSheAlpha-OmegaThe Search EndsAloneWar Quiz for AmericaNotes to the PoemsBlank PageIndex of Titles