Not the stereotypical american description for women; reveals a strength in black women that is discussed further, later on in the poem and the physical labor that African women are more subjected to then American women.

Shortened version of "Chilled." Possible reasoning of this grammar choice: To conjure the use of "Black Vernacular" further suggesting that Wheatley is the speaker because it was in common use during her lifetime and not likely of Madgett to use it herself.

Final biblical reference; In John 8:24 Jesus states: "For unless you believe that I am, you will die in your sins" revealing Wheatley's apparent bold, confident, and unapologetic view of herself

Jesus Christ is commonly referred to as the lamb from John 1:29, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world"

Also a reference to Christ because he is the lion and the lamb, but this particular line says "lioness" which is a girl lion, thus elevating the status of Phillis Wheatley to the divine.

Refers to all her ancestors

She is explaining isn't that mad that she was being used because anything was better than being just a body on a boat.

This could be referring to John Wheatley thinking he was doing good by helping her writing career, but blind to the fact that by doing so, he was still exploiting her and limiting her.

Mascot could refer to the fact that, "The Wheatley family would often flaunt Phillis' skills in front of company," showing her off for her literary talents. The Wheatley family is who sponsored all of Phillis's poetry publications.

Phillis Wheatley was sold to a man in Boston and lived there the rest of her life.

(noun) -the action of asking or begging for something earnestly or humbly

(noun) -sternness or severity of manner or attitude

In many West African cultures, wood sculptures would be made of the tribe's ancestors to be remembered and worshipped.

She is using this illusion of the waves being tribal drums to find motivation, strength, and reason to keep fighting. The slash in-between "Sur" and "Vive" represents the break in syllable, each one representing a beat on the drum/a pound on the shipside.

The sound of the waves hitting the ship remind her of the beat in tribal songs she heard growing up

(noun) a narrow opening or crack, typically one that admits light.

Phillis Wheatley was born and raised for the first 8 years of her life in Senegal/Gambia in West Africa

Reveals this poem's setting takes place in Wheatley's adulthood because the last time Wheatley would have seen her mom is when she was 8 years old, before she was taken into slavery.

*We understand Wheatley herself is the poet by later lines

Direct reference to famous 18th century poet, Phillis Wheatley (1753-1784)

In her autobiography, "Pilgrim Journey" Madgett describes her mother: "After Mama was finished in the kitchen, she brought whichever visitor was there that night upstairs where she mended something..." referring to her mom being willing help anyone emotionally in need (possibly battling mental health) and physically in need (something they own is torn), by housing them for the night and mending their clothing.

This clause reveals her intentions for raising her hand, thus showing her actions are hinged to her father's recognition and high-perception of her, not to righteousness itself.

Idolatry is a sin frequently discussed in Christian Doctrine. Madgett knew this word's connotation and uses it paired with the past tense tone to foreshadow her change in perspective.

Past tense verbiage ("didn't, wasn't, hid, was, etc.) indicates that the speaker feels differently now, building anticipation for a perspective-altering change to be described

Present tense verbiage shows we have now passed the shift that was anticipated by the earlier use of the past tense.

Beginning and ending the poem with addressing her Mother explicitly, it is clear that she is the main intended audience.

Final use of sun analogy that reiterates the notion that women are the mastermind behind and maintainers of the men's success, as is the case in her Mother and Father's situation.

Reference to dark-skin individuals; black queens is also a reference to the "shadows" living not for glory or attention (like the sun), but in the background, humbly.

"Claim" suggests self-identification that opposes the intake of perception that was alluded to in people calling her "Prete" at the beginning.

The shift that's been anticipated the whole poem has arrived. "Now" suggests a change in attitude; she didn't, "claim her place with honor" before

Associated with the previously mentioned, "depression-weary clothes", "sagging spirit", and "quiet elegance," "sober ways" most likely refers to her mother's solemn and humble attitude. Further exemplifying Madgett's desire for recognition.*

*See "Seeking his favor"

Referencing to the first stanza's sun-verses-shadow analogy, Madgett depicts her mother as wind to reveal her belief that her father was so great only because her mother made him great.

Reference to discrimination and racism that Madgett experienced in grade school

In Christian doctrine "the enemy" is another way to refer to the Devil, or Satan (The fallen angel, known source of all evil).

Europe’s first super highway; it was ancient Rome’s most important military and economic artery. It is commonly depicted in art due to its fame and beauty.

(noun) a short ceremonial tune or flourish played on brass instruments, typically to introduce something or someone important.

(noun) -food and drink regarded as a source of strength; nourishment. OR the maintaining of someone or something in life or existence.

"Give us our daily bread" is a quote from The Lord's Prayer, commonly recited in Christian churches. Because she is referring to her mother, she elevates her mother's status to that of the divine in the ultimate form of praise.

Switch of pronouns from "he" to "you" reveal a shift to speaker addressing "Mother" again.

(noun) -a raised platform or lectern in a church or chapel from which the preacher delivers a sermon

Madgett's father, Clarence Marcellus Long, was a Baptist Minister, thus making sense of her opening apology to her mother: perhaps for liking her Father more.

(noun) -to insult (someone) by treating or speaking of them without proper respect or attention.

This may suggest that she is a student in school since she has a teacher

The Duke played many cowboy roles during his acting career. The roles were very racist, especially against Native Americans. The gunpowder line may referencing his cowboy roles in the movie industry.

Marlboro was one of the strongest cigarettes because it did not have a filter. This was during a time period when smoking was popular and they did not know the full health effects of it.

This may suggest that there was more value placed on the Duke who had unhealthy eating habits, smoked, and had unethical morals than Nat King Cole.

This further shows how unhealthy the Duke was when it came to his diet. It is very unhealthy to eat that much red meat in one day.

The two being joined are referring to John Wayne " The Duke" and Nat King Cole.

This suggests that king has come to terms with what has happened to him, but as mentioned earlier, he values love over all, and wants to move past it and use his experience as advocacy for peace.

Following up the reality of words, these are words that she has heard people say because they were thinking them, whether they had malicious intent or not.

Knowing the role that the root of the word rodent plays in the greater etymology of “nigger” this can be used to justify why she saw rats and mice along with the racial slur otters in her dream earlier mentioned.

This Latin phrase means that “love conquers all” and this suggests that though King was beaten, he sees it as more than just an act of violence, but more of a learning experience for everyone else to show that love is greater than evil.

This could possibly be referring to the batons that were mentioned earlier used by the police officers during his traffic stop.

This was a phrase commonly associated with facing adversity and defying odds and coming out on top. This suggests that as Rodney King was facing the challenge of racial discrimination he was still able to overcome and make the best of the bad situation

Her boss is suggesting that the reason there were rats in her office in her dream were due to her being dirty.

Sea Otter was a racial slur used to describe African Americans.

Etymology is the study of the origin of words, and her employer is suggesting that just because the word doesn’t literally mean anything offensive, the structure of it shouldn’t upset her.

Niggardly means not generous, or stingy, but looking at the root of the word gives off a negative connotation of the word that was used to describe African Americans.

Rodney King was an African American construction worker who was brutally beat by four police officers during a traffic stop. This beating sparked riots all across the nation, and primarily in Los Angeles that brought attention to racial injustice in America.

Suggests an emphasis on how aggressive he was being beaten, because pinatas are solely used for forceful actions.

The Jury for the trial of officers involved in the Rodney King traffic stop consisted of 9 white, one biracial, and Latino, and one Asian.

The stars are often used for navigation, and it suggests that that once they have reached their freedom, the stars can direct their path.

Having faith can be hard at times, which is why the grimace was added to show the painful effect that it can have.

Blessed rain comes after a drought period, and can refer to God satisfying your needs after your struggle.

“Desperate” hour suggests that when you are in severe need, that is when the Lord’s power will be summoned.

This is suggesting that God can be any and every relation to you, as he is always there to supply what you need.

Rock of ages refers to a biblical connection of smitten rock and Jesus’ smitten body. Also in the bible, a prophet by the name of Isaiah says “Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal” which in this situation insinuates that in the midst of destruction, trust in the Lord and he will protect you.

This suggests that she was praying to God in a time of trouble.

Bloodhounds were used to track down runaway slaves by picking up on the human scent and hunting them down.

Slave patrols of armed white men who enforced the rules of the plantation and ensured the containment of enslaved persons

A piece of the ground that is covered in cane plants, could be referencing the field in which slaves were working in.

This suggests that they are in the middle of escaping from the plantation

Harriet Tubman was an abolitionist and activist that escaped slavery, and went back and helped rescue over 70 enslaved people through 13 missions by way of the path called "The Underground Railroad"

The use of the spacing could indicate again that the speaker of the poem is being sarcastic about how things were better back in the day.

Lamenting is to express one's deep grief or disappointment over something considered not fair.

Present could be a double entendre, meaning the present time and a gift to America is black men and how they are elevating their status.

Possibly the present in which the author published this poem.

flash out [for a light] means to shine out of something suddenly. In this poem it could mean these boys out shine people and they look cool or fly.

L'Argent is the metal sliver

"you" could possibly be the speakers partner or its a collective "you" of ignorant and unaware people.

Usury is a illegal action of leading money at unreasonably and unethical high rates of interest. Usury of affection could mean people buy their affection with gifts because that is what a partner wants. It could also mean fake emotions of love.

Love is going to work which could mean love between some people is how much money they make or need to make to be happy. (love is money)

The speaker of the poem might be from a poor area so there is no money to be found there, nor will there ever be. There is only money far away and it’ll be almost impossible to get it.

The "You" is ignorant because she/he thinks that they don't have to work for what they want.

The speaker might be saying money don't grow on trees because its not easy to get money, you have to work for it.

Dagwood is a character in a cartoon made in 1933. Dagwood loved his wife Blondie and in all the comic strips every time they saw each other or did something for each other they would kiss. So when the speaker says love isn’t Dagwood kisses he is possibly saying love it isn’t rainbows, butterflies and 24/7 kisses.

This could mean that time is a circle and everything people have done or will do they will do over and over again.

In the beginning of the poem and also back in the day boys called each other "Man" and in the present they are calling each other "Dog". This could mean that the speaker of the poem had this group of friends back in the day and now there are kids just like them but calling each other different words.

In the sense of music, bellowed means to sing a song loudly and tunelessly and possibly with anger. Anthem is a musical composition of celebration and is used as a symbol for a distinct group. Putting these two words together could mean a song sung with passion by a certain group of people, maybe African Americans that are sad of what the world is.

Sullen is a bad tempered or depressed mood. Posturings is a behavior that is intended to impress or mislead. Referring to the concept of this poem Sullen posturing could mean people are adopting a depressed attitude to mislead the news/media.

The readers of this poem could also read these lines like "He really really truly truly deeply deeply loved" which could indicate some sort of sarcasm because of the spacing.

Harmonized means to sing or play different musical notes that sound pleasing together. Yearning is a feeling of intense longing or desire for something. In the poem they all felt and sang about strong longing for something (the night)

Gait is a persons manner of walking."dancing gait" represents how they proudly walked or danced with style

Stacy Adams is a brand of menswear including suits, sleepwear, shoes, etc. that was founded in 1875 in Massachusetts. They are known for their dress shoes.

Florsheim is a shoe brand in the US founded in 1892. They are known for their shiny tuxedo shoes.

The poem itself is written in free verse and uses no capitalization. The repeated non-capitalization of “I”, along with the thematic elements, suggests that the narrator is experiencing disidentification with herself and her body after a mastectomy.

Along with the war imagery in this stanza, these lines seem to suggest that the narrator feels an injustice is happening to her body through breast removal.

This line compares fighting cancer to fighting in a war. This comparison may also be referencing that Black women in the U.S. have a 31% breast cancer mortality rate, the highest mortality rate among ethnic and racial categories in the U.S.

This line may be referencing the resistance to Apartheid in South Africa and the Nicaraguan Revolution, contributing to the imagery of violence within this stanza. These are also both locations within the African Diaspora.

These lines reference having a mastectomy, an operation where a breast is removed, typically to treat breast cancer.

Both names in this poem, Rebecca and Jim, appear in another one of E. Ethelbert Miller’s poems, “The Light On Rebecca’s Breast,” which is also about breast cancer and its effect on romantic relationships.

The poem suggests that this “I” is from the perspective of a woman with breast cancer, pondering the aftermath of surgery.

This poem may be titled Rebecca after E. Ethelbert Miller’s mother-in-law, Rebecca Lou King, whom he has other poems dedicated to, such as “Happiness Should Leap From A Dream.” At the 1994 Furious Flower Conference, Miller dedicates this poem to June Jordan, a poet, essayist, and activist, who was diagnosed with breast cancer and passed away from cancer complications in 2002.

Arab is an ethno-linguistic category, referring to peoples that speak Arabic as their native tongue. This line might be insinuating that Omar and his father are African American rather than Arab. Many Black Americans embraced Islam in the 60s and 70s as a form of Black nationalism or separatism. Famous examples of this include activist Malcolm X, boxer Muhammad Ali, and poets Amiri Baraka and Haki Madhubuti.

Incense is used in many religious practices in Islam and is often a staple in Muslim households, as according to one of the hadiths of the Prophet, angels love fragrant scents.

The Holy Quran is the principal religious text of Islam.

This line seems to reference the earlier lines where the narrator’s mother tells him to leave the house with clean underwear and socks without holes.

This stanza switches from strong Islamic imagery to Christian imagery. In doing so, Miller might be juxtaposing a disconnect with Christianity in the speaker and a peaked interest in Islam.

In Islam, actions of honor and importance are meant to be started with the right hand, whereas actions deemed the opposite are supposed to be started with the left hand. This is because the right hand is associated with honor and nobility.

This line may be referencing the magic carpet from Aladdin, a folktale found in One Thousand and One Nights (Arabian Nights). Aladdin is debatably the best known tale from One Thousand and One Nights, despite not being in the original Arabic text. The story of Aladdin was later added by Antoine Galland, a Frenchman, and this line in the poem may be referencing western perceptions of Islam and Arab identities.

Muslims use prayer rugs in order to separate the person praying from the ground and create a clean space, as wudu (cleansing and purification) must be performed before prayer. They are often decorated with patterns and shapes, which may be what the speaker means by “nice.”

In some Muslim households, there may be areas where the furniture is cleared out in order to make room for prayer mats.

The use “good hair” and “bad hair” refers to the belief that straight hair that aligns with white beauty ideals is “good hair” and that traditionally Afro-textured hair is “bad hair.” This concept also often relates to the issue of Colorism and there has been significant pushback against the term “bad hair,” with the Black is Beautiful movement and overall embracing of natural hair.

Considering that E. Ethelbert Miller typically writes from a Black perspective, this line may insinuate that Omar is also Black, or that the speaker is extending solidarity from the Black community to the Muslim community.

This line may be referencing Muhammad Speaks, the official newspaper of the Nation of Islam, a Black Muslim political movement, during the 60s and 70s.

Salaam alaikum, or as-salamu alaykum, means “Peace be upon you” in Arabic and is used as a greeting among those of Muslim faith.

The repeated imagery of the speaker’s socks having holes in them may be referencing the act of Masah in Islam, which is the ritual cleaning of the feet, followed immediately by putting on socks. Masah is forbidden if the socks have holes in them, requiring socks that can be walked in for three miles without tearing.

The use of the word samurai, 12th century Japanese military officers that often make an appearance in popular media, may insinuate that the speaker associates removing shoes with Asian cultures.

This line appears to reference Omar’s Muslim identity, as shoes are often taken off at the front door or before walking on carpet in Muslim households. While it is not prohibited for Muslims to wear shoes in the house, shoes are seen as unclean in Islam. Believers are required to remove their shoes before prayer and wearing shoes in mosque is forbidden.

Omar is a reoccurring childhood Muslim figure in E. Ethelbert Miller’s poetry, appearing in other works such as “Looking for Omar,” where Miller tackles anti-Muslim sentiment after 9/11. E. Ethelbert Miller stated in his reading of this poem at the 1994 Furious Flower Conference that Omar is the speaker’s “introduction to Islam.”

This poem seems to be talking about two different men. There is a black man who is singing the blues that we see in the first stanza, but there is also a white man who is causing the blues, that we see in the second and third stanza.

The Walter in this poem is unclear, but it is possibly referring to Little Walter who was an American blues musician.

The "cool breeze" is a reference to the zephyr in the title. This could suggest the the man being called a cool breeze is a symbol of oppression, much like the zephyr.

"Shoo-bee-do" is a phrase used in blues music. This may be a reference to "Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day", a 1968 single released by African American recording artist Stevie Wonder.

A wolf whistle is a whistle that implies sexual attraction to someone.

"Blk" is a shortened form of "black". Shortening words this way was common during the Black Arts Movement. The Black Arts Movement was a time for breaking away from standards and ideas about what it meant to be Black. There was a focus on the Black community and African roots.

Doo-wop is a specific type of blues music.

Zephyr can mean a variety of things. It can mean a fine cotton gin, a gentle breeze, or the Greek god of the west wind. This word may suggest the duality between the wind that is mentioned later in this poem and the oppression that the cotton gin symbolizes for African Americans.

Blues is a type of African American music that originated in the deep south in the late 19th/early 20th century. Blues often expresses a longing for justice and a better life.

This is a reference to the book of Genesis in the Bible. Genesis is the creation of life. This may suggest that poetry creates life and is elevated to a godly level.

Catechisms are a set of questions and answers used as instruction for Christians in the principles of the religion.

This may suggest that poetry is all inclusive and does not conform to any sexual orientations or expectations.

Monosexual means to be attracted to only people of a single gender. Homosexual means to be attracted to people of the same gender. Heterosexual means to be attracted to people of the opposite gender. Bisexual means to be attracted to people of both the same and opposite gender. Asexual means to be not sexually atracted to anyone.

This line could be read as having a sexual connotation, which is a connection to the net stanza.

This might suggest that poetry covers all topics. even ones that people are often told to stay away from.

Myopic is another word for being nearsighted.

This line may suggest that poetry is an escape from all things bad.

This line may imply that no one wants to hear poetry in a serious or legal situation.

A heretic is a person who practices beliefs contrary to orthodox religious doctrine.

Prudence means to act with thought or care.

Propriety is conformity to standards and morals.

This line suggests the poetry is promiscuous.

Showing your feet can be considered very rude manners.

Wearing a feather in your cap typically is used to signify a great accomplishment or achievement.

The color red has a very sexual connotation, and the addition of the perfume may suggest that poetry tries to draw people in for sexual encounters.

A taboo is a social or religious custom prohibiting a certain action or association with specific people, objects, or customs.

Fermenting is the process in which alcohol is created.

Guerrilla warfare is a tactic using small and mobile forces against larger, immobile forces. The word “guerrilla” comes from the spanish word for war "guerra".

An ideology is a way of thought, typically of economic or political nature.

A tyrant is a cruel or oppressive leader.

The "calling" is a reference to the title. This may imply that "The Wild" thing in this poem is poetry itself.

This refers to the place of afterlife in Christian religion.

By adding his own annotations, he is showing his extensive knowledge of African and Egyptian culture.

Large sailing ship

Vista- Pleasing view transcendental- relating to a spiritual or nonphysical realm

recurrent as a symbol or motif in literature, art, or mythology

Shift to a sort of ode to Sun Ra

Part 3 introduces a 'we' speaker

These flowers are associated with several meanings including purity, love and refinement

The Middle Passage was the crossing from Africa to the Americas, which the ships made carrying their 'cargo' of slaves. It was so-called because it was the middle section of the trade route taken by many of the ships

an effusively enthusiastic or ecstatic expression of feeling

a large group of people or things of a particular kind

Image of a mage (magician) and musician waving a wand or baton to create magical, beautiful music

a magician or learned person

relating to or characteristic of Osiris, the ancient Egyptian god of fertility and ruler of the afterlife.

may be calling Sun Ra a Horus roaring words of truth and affirmation to the impotent brutes of the white community

The word Neanderthal is German, named for the Neander Valley where human fossils have been found, and around 1926 neanderthal became popular British slang for a "big, brutish, stupid person."

a statement or slogan repeated frequently.

the falcon-headed Egyptian god of light and the son of Osiris and Isis whose right eye was the sun or morning star, representing power and quintessence, and whose left eye was the moon or evening star, representing healing.

primordial- existing at or from the beginning of time; primeval.

Version of singing that sounds like taking breaths in and out

Greek for a monolithic, four-sided Egyptian pillar, which tapers into a pyramid, symbolic of pharaonic authority.

Part 1 is used to explain who Sun Ra is and his eternal greatness, but part two has an "our" that is being referenced. It is not solely about Sun Ra

The our in this poem is introduced in part two. It may be referencing African Americans in general or those specifically that are visionaries of the Black Arts Movement

Pharoah Sanders (born Farrell Sanders, October 13, 1940) is an American jazz saxophonist. A member of John Coltrane's groups of the mid-1960s, Sanders is known for his overblowing, harmonic, and multi-phonic techniques on the saxophone, as well as his use of "sheets of sound"

calling the combination of Coltrane and Pharaoh "alchemical" may imply they are a magical duo

American jazz saxophonist and composer whose musical innovations broke through formal thematic and harmonic restrictions in jazz improvisation.

Our speaker appears to be using their imagination to escape the confines of this room and return to the inspiring world of the first two stanzas.

This line seems to be referring to the poem as a halo surrounding the earth, elevating the natural world to a holy status.

In the version from The Black Scholar vol. 9, no. 3, this line is changed to say "of no light." This seems to be the most drastic change to the ending, as the alternate line paints a far bleaker final image.

In a version published in The Black Scholar vol. 9, no. 3, “Midnight Song” has a somewhat different ending starting after this line with a separate stanza. This alternate ending is as follows:

"This is a blue room poem/ caught up in a web/ of no light/ The leaves weave/ a ring of gold/ painting the earth"

The poem is now taking on the characteristics of the natural world, growing and spreading all over.

This is perhaps a reference to the title, the actual “Midnight Song” being that of the crickets.

These lines suggest that the blue-room poem is “Midnight Song” itself, being written by our speaker/Lane.

This line could be referring to the pale door of the blue room itself, or the pearly gates to heaven the speaker sees after "dying" each night.

The curtain here seems to be not only blocking out the natural light from the window, but creating the illusion of cage-like bars with stripes. This interpretation would further establish how trapped the speaker feels.

The speaker here seems to dramatize the feeling of being stuck while writing their poetry in the blue room, as they compare it to dying every night.

The first mention of this “blue room," a setting whose plainness contrasts greatly with the lively world Lane has described in previous stanzas.

This stanza continues to show the ways in which poetry can enhance one’s imaginative perspective. It seems as though this stanza is trying to say that even an ordinary plane ride can feel magical with the creative power of poetry.

Lane here seems to be establishing a sense of freedom within the vastness of nature.

Flotsam refers to debris or rubbish floating in water.

Our only description of the girl at the window. This indentation draws attention to “her” ownership of the poem in this moment of reflection.

In The Black Scholar, vol. 10, no. ¾, the words “streaks” and “outline” are changed to “streaking” and “outlining” suggesting a more active scene.

Capital of Kenya.

Lane leaves the “they” ambiguous here, perhaps a reference to other people in general or the creatures that have been mentioned in this poem.

Lane tells John Lowe in "‘Pulling in the Natural Environment’: An Interview with Pinkie Gordon Lane." that this is a reference to the lions she saw on a safari with her son in Africa.

Attention to color starts with the mention of blue skies and will continue throughout the rest of the poem. This seems to be Lane expressing her appreciation for the variety of colors in Africa, subverting the stereotype of Africa as the "dark continent" devoid of prosperity.

“She” could be referring to Lane herself or the woman pictured in African garb that Lane says inspired this poem in John Lowe's "‘Pulling in the Natural Environment’: An Interview with Pinkie Gordon Lane."

In this poem, even the seasons are in motion, fighting one another.

Immediately Lane introduces readers to a world of movement and livelihood.

A casual stance, perhaps to show our subject as being a passive observer in the world being described.