Marcus B. Christian – The Craftsman
I ply with all the cunning of my art
This little thing, and with consummate care
I fashion it—so that when I depart,
Those who come after me shall find it fair
And beautiful. It must be free of flaws—
Pointing no laborings of weary hands;
And there must be no flouting of the laws
Of beauty—as the artist understands.
Through passion, yearnings infinite—yet dumb—
I lift you from the depths of my own mind
And gild you with my soul’s white heat to plumb
The souls of future men. I leave behind
This thing that in return this solace gives:
“He who creates true beauty ever lives.”
Bio
Marcus B. Christian was born in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana. He moved to New Orleans in 1919 where he owned/operated a dry-cleaning business. He joined the Federal Writers’ Project in 1936, and worked for Dillard University, developing a catalogue of African American writers known as the “Colored Project.” Christian continued at Dillard University, serving as as assistant librarian until his death.
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