Lewis Alexander was born July 4, 1900, at Washington, D. C. He was educated in the public schools of Washington and at Howard University where he was a member of the Howard Players. He has also studied at the University of Pennsylvania. He was a member of the Ethiopian Art Theatre for the season 1922-1923 playing in _Salome_ and _The Comedy of Errors_ on Broadway. As the result of a recent tour of North and South Carolina he edited in May 1927 the Negro Number of the _Carolina Magazine_. He has been writing poetry since 1917, specializing in Japanese forms. Two Little Theatre groups in Washington, The Ira Aldridge Players of the Grover Cleveland School and the Randall Community Center Players have been under his direction. NEGRO WOMAN The sky hangs heavy tonight Like the hair of a Negro woman. The scars of the moon are curved Like the wrinkles on the brow of a Negro woman. The stars twinkle tonight Like the glaze in a Negro woman’s eyes, Drinking the tears set flowing by an aging hurt Gnawing at her heart. The earth trembles tonight Like the quiver of a Negro woman’s eye-lids cupping tears. AFRICA Thou art not dead, although the spoiler’s hand Lies heavy as death upon thee; though the wrath Of its accursed might is in thy path And has usurped thy children of their land; Though yet the scourges of a monstrous band Roam on thy ruined fields, thy trampled lanes, Thy ravaged homes and desolated fanes; Thou art not dead, but sleeping,--Motherland. A mighty country, valorous and free, Thou shalt outlive this terror and this pain; Shall call thy scattered children back to thee, Strong with the memory of their brothers slain; And rise from out thy charnel house to be Thine own immortal, brilliant self again! TRANSFORMATION I return the bitterness, Which you gave to me; When I wanted loveliness Tantalant and free. I return the bitterness It is washed by tears; Now it is a loveliness Garnished through the years. I return it loveliness, Having made it so; For I wore the bitterness From it long ago. THE DARK BROTHER “Lo, I am black but I am comely too, Black as the night, black as the deep dark caves. I am the scion of a race of slaves Who helped to build a nation strong that you And I may stand within the world’s full view, Fearless and firm as dreadnoughts on rough waves; Holding a banner high whose floating braves The opposition of the tried untrue. Casting an eye of love upon my face, Seeing a newer light within my eyes, A rarer beauty in your brother race Will merge upon your visioning fullwise. Though I am black my heart through love is pure, And you through love my blackness shall endure!” TANKA I-VIII I Could I but retrace The winding stairs fate built me. They fell from my feet. Now I stand on the high round. Down beneath height above depth-- II Through the eyes of life I looked in at my own heart: A long furrowed field Grown cement waiting for seed Baking in desolation. III