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An Archive for Virtual Harlem

Jessica Johnston, Author
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Writer Angelina Weld Grimké




Angelina Weld Grimké (1880-1958)- playwright, poet, teacher, journalist. Angelina was born in Boston, MA into an unusual and distinguished biracial family. Her family, within the three preceding generations, included slaveholders and slaves, free black people and white abolitionists. Her father, Archibald Grimke, was African American and graduated Harvard Law School and became a prominent lawyer, diplomat, author, editor, publisher and vice president of the NAACP. Her mother came from a middle class white family who opposed the marriage of Angelina’s parents on racial grounds, and ultimately, Angelina was abandoned by her mother and was raised solely by her father and some of his relatives. She attended the Boston Normal School of Gymnastics and Harvard University. She had essays and short stories published in The Crisis and in Harlem Renaissance anthologies. Angelina is best known for her play titled 'Rachel' which centers around an African-American woman who rejects marriage and motherhood. It is only in her poetry that Angelina reveals her romantic love towards women.


Rosabel

I
Leaves, that whisper, whisper ever,
Listen, listen, pray;
Birds, that twitter, twitter softly,
Do not say me nay;
Winds, that breathe about, upon her,
(Since I do not dare)
Whisper, twitter, breathe unto her
That I find her fair.

II
Rose whose soul unfolds white petaled
Touch her soul rose-white;
Rose whose thoughts unfold gold petaled
Blossom in her sight;
Rose whose heart unfolds red petaled
Quick her slow heart's stir;
Tell her white, gold, red my love is;
And for her,--for her.
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