The Poetry of Dudley Randall

I first fell in love with the poetry of Dudley Randall when I read his Poem "The Profile on the Pillow." As I discovered more of his poetry, I fell deeper in love. Randall has a subtle way with words that puts him in a league of his own. Founder of the Broadside Press, Randall is one of the most influential poets and publishers of the Modern Era. Randall published his first poem at thirteen and throughout his career he wrote about the things in life that he knew best. In his poetry, Randall draws on his own history and the history of his people to enlighten the masses on the plight of African-Americans.

In "Roses and Revolutions," Randall gives a descriptive account of the predicament that African Americans were subject to during the Civil Right Movement. Written in free verse, Randall vividly describes the southern Negro lynched with "his face blown off," the northern Negro whose manhood has been "maligned" and the joyless emasculated working men. With his astounding use of visual imagery, Randall exemplifies the harsh realities of the day. What I like best about the poem is although it begins with the portrayal of a negative situation, Randall asserts a prophesy of a better day to come. He states:

like day driving night night across the continent,

I saw dawn upon them like the sun a vision

of a time when all men walk proudly through the earth

And the bombs and missiles lie at the bottom of the ocean

like the bones of dinosaurs buried under the shale of eras,

and men strive with each other not for power or the accumulation of paper

but in joy create for others the house, the poem, the game of athletic beauty. (14-20)

Despite the turmoil and chaos, Randall envisions a brighter future. He is hopeful that change will come.

In "Black Poet, White Critic," Randall focuses on the differing opinions between the black artist and the white critic. I like this poem because it represents Randall's great concern and appreciation for reality. Never one to sugar-coat his message, in the poem Randall emphasizes the realities of life as opposed to the fantasies. In the poem, a white critic suggests that he write of "universal themes" and "timeless symbols", like the white unicorn (4-5). In the final line, Randall questions this advice given to him: "A white unicorn?" The italicized word "white" infers that Randall is challenging why the unicorn is white. This suggests that perhaps this poem is about the most controversial subject, race. Although not as descriptive as "Roses and Revolutions", "Black Poet, White Critic" is just as effective with its precise language and straight to the point situation.

In "George," Randall recounts the story of a co-worker. The man, whom he worked with in the foundry, is now sick and in the hospital. Once a source of strength for Randall, the man is weakened and unable to do the things he used to do. In the poem, Randall speaker reflects on a time when the man complemented him: "'You're not afraid of sweat. You're strong as a mule'" (16). Randall shows great attention to details and is able to expose his appreciation for this hard working man that has influenced his life. In the final stanza, he reciprocates the support that the man has given him:

One day when you fell from your chair and stared at the air

With the look of fright which sight of death inspires,

I lifted you like a cylinder block, and said,

'Don't be afraid

Of a little fall, for you'll be here

A long time yet, because you're strong as a mule.' (24-29)

In the poem, Randall shows how his admiration and gratitude for the man and informs the reader of the impact the man has and will always have on his life.

In Randall's poetry, there is no separation of personality or self from the works. He draws heavily from personal experience and the scenes he has encountered in his life. I think that this connection between artist and subject is essential to good poetry; to tell a story, you must first know it. Randall knows the situations that he writes about and has lived many of them. As a poet, Dudley Randall proves that poetry is not an escape from emotion, but rather a combination of emotion, the past and self.

Works Cited

Randall, Dudley. "Black Writer, White Critic." Contemporary American Poetry. 2^nd ed. Ed. Donald Hall. New York: Vintage Press, 1972. 44.

- - - "George." Contemporary American Poetry. 2^nd ed. 44-5.

- - - "Roses and Revolutions." Contemporary American Poetry. 2^nd ed. 43.