"Yet Do I Marvel" is a poem written by the African American poet Countee Cullen in the 1930s. The title itself suggests a sense of wonder and amazement, and the poem delves into themes of race, identity, and the complexities of being a black man in a white-dominated society.
The poem begins with the line "Yet do I marvel at this curious thing: / To make a poet black, and bid him sing!" This line speaks to the idea that it is strange and unusual for a black man to be a poet, and that he is expected to perform this role in a way that is different from white poets. This idea is further explored in the second stanza, where Cullen writes "I wonder as I wander out under the sky, / How many clouds there be, man's destiny." This line speaks to the idea that Cullen is struggling to understand his place in the world and the role that he is expected to play as a black man.
Throughout the poem, Cullen grapples with the complexities of race and identity, and the expectations placed upon him as a black man. He writes "I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen / When company comes, but I laugh, / And eat well, and grow strong." This line speaks to the idea that Cullen is treated as a second-class citizen because of the color of his skin, but he refuses to let this treatment get him down. He embraces his strength and resilience, and refuses to be defined by the limitations placed upon him.
In the final stanza of the poem, Cullen writes "I am the darker brother. / They send me to do the dirty work, / The drink I can't drink and the pork I can't eat. / And they shoot me if I resist." This line speaks to the violence and oppression faced by black people in America, and the ways in which they are treated unfairly and unjustly. Despite all of this, Cullen remains resilient and hopeful, writing "I am the darker brother. / They see me 'round back, / They say the nigger's done stole something." This line speaks to the way that black people are often unfairly judged and accused of wrongdoing, but Cullen refuses to let these negative stereotypes define him.
In conclusion, "Yet Do I Marvel" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that speaks to the complexities of race and identity. Through his words, Cullen conveys the struggles and challenges faced by black people in America, and the resilience and determination required to overcome these obstacles. Despite the difficulties he faces, Cullen remains hopeful and proud of his identity, and this is a message that resonates with readers to this day.
