Elizabeth Margaret Chandler (24 December 1807 – 02 November 1834 | Centre DE – Tecumseh MI) poet, writer, children’s anti-slavery author, first US female writer to focus on abolition of slavery as her principal theme.
My foot has climb’d the rocky summit’s height of the gray old year–the dying year.
Night! with its thousand stars & deep hush. Think of those who wildly mourn, their
loved ones from them torn! Heaven help ye, lorn ones! bending ‘neath your weary life
of pain. Pity the negro, Lady! Her’s is not, like thine, a blessed & most happy lot! Come
to the green-wood with me, gentle friend! Be hush’d, triumphant sounds! Think of our
country’s glory, all dimm’d with Africa’s tears. The kingfisher sat on her nest, shielding
her young with downy breast. Oh, turn ye not displeased away: the story of the negro’s
wrongs is heavy on my heart. Shine not on me, oh, moon! thy weak light mocking the
turmoil of this tumultuous & jarring world. What is a slave, mother?–I heard you say.
In the deep silence of starry nights, we pray all be lifted free–with un-branded brows.