I read to the children while they are eating their breakfast from a set of books, one of which is Classic Poetry, an illustrated collection selected by Michael Rosen, pictures by Paul Howard. This week the poem was The Slave’s Dream.
The Slave’s Dream
By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Beside the ungathered rice he lay,
His sickle in his hand;
His breast was bare, his matted hair
Was buried in the sand.
Again, in the mist and shadow of sleep,
He saw his Native Land.
Wide through the landscape of his dreams
The lordly Niger flowed;
Beneath the palm-trees on the plain
Once more a king he strode;
And heard the tinkling caravans
Descend the mountain-road.
To read on to the end click here
Harriet Tubman became known as the “Moses of her people” as she helped more than 300 slaves to escape to freedom in the North along the route of the Underground Railroad.
Poetry Friday is being hosted by Elaine at Wild Rose Reader. Happy poetry Friday, all!
The link doesn’t work. Appreciate sharing history with small children. I also think they need a balance with works that celebrate us now. Thanks.
Thanks for the head’s up re: link. I’ve fixed it. You raise an interesting point.
I’m reading Octavian Nothing II right now and this poem is all the more touching when paired with that astounding book. The poem makes me sad that he finds freedom and home-coming only in death, of course. It also reminds me of the “people could fly” tradition that tells of this same hope – enslaved people returning home to Africa in death when their souls fly free. I hadn’t marked that in Longfellow before but now I’m curious about following that thread to see where he got the idea behind the poem. Is he romanticizing slavery or retelling a folk story that he heard elsewhere?
Being very much an amateur in the area of literary analysis I didn’t think to link to the history behind the poem. Because I was aware of the dangers of in any way romanticizing slavery the link is to the harrowing account of one slave, who managed to eventually escape.
I remember this one from school, I thought it was so sad. It is an outsiders romanticized view of slavery but if you think of what nonsense other contemporaries (like Kipling and The White Man’s Burden) wrote, at least his intentions seem good.
enjoyed reading
Longfellow was such a dramatist, but there is such a poignancy and beauty in that 19th century idea of making sort of a ballad of real history and grief of a slave, and Longfellow has a mastery with language.
I love that photograph of Harriet Tubman ; I always feel like if I could have just caught one smile, I would have felt like a millionaire. She was regal and sorrowful, having seen much lost much, and endured more, she had earned her rest and solemnity.
Nandini,
Thanks for putting into words what I was feeling.
What an amazing photograph. My middle daughter became fascinated with Harriet Tubman about three years ago, and for a school (homeschool) project she checked out every book from the library we could find and then made a little movie about her. I’ll have to be sure and show her this, thanks.
I read to my kids over breakfast, too.
that would be:
every book from the library we could fine *about Harriet Tubman.* Not EVERY book from the library.
Jacqueline, having just read your profile, I have to say that I feel quite endeared to you after reading the following, re. homeschooling your children:
“I am bemused to find that I value this work, though very taxing with few perks, above all others.”
Oh, how perfectly lovely and perfect. Yes. Thank you.
Such sad and tragic beauty within those words. The reality though of how so many slaves met their end is so harsh and horrific. One can certainly understand the desire of Longfellow, if only in wishing for it to be so, that these souls (this one soul in representation) departs to a place of longing and known comfort. Indeed, it is the wish and hope of many.
Thanks for visiting earlier this week, thanks too for sharing your selection of poetry.
Every generation needs their Moses.
Thanks for the wonderful photo and poem.
This is the best poem 4 my homework!Thanks
Fantastic post , its a wow mistress post , thank you and keep on!
Harriet Tubman was not only a great woman but during the trips she forced my black people to stand strong and to keep going, which says a lot. I am so proud to be black and I can NEVER forgive white people for what they did. I would hate to be white because they’re continuously proving why they are the devils on the Planet Earth. I know I better not catch any in my neighborhood or they will DIE!
i just love this poem…………..its is a true fact…………maybe today slavery may not be in the same form,but its reminiscents are found even today in the form of bonded labour,child labour,iscrimination on the basis of caste,colour,creed,religion and sex……………………………………..
all these need to be abolishe if we want to exist in the free world……………<3<3<3