James Weldon Johnson, ed. (1871–1938). The Book of American Negro Poetry. 1922.

Sic Vita

HEART free, hand free,

Blue above, brown under,

All the world to me

Is a place of wonder.

Sun shine, moon shine,

Stars, and winds a-blowing,

All into this heart of mine

Flowing, flowing, flowing!

Mind free, step free,

Days to follow after,

Joys of life sold to me

For the price of laughter.

Girl’s love, man’s love,

Love of work and duty,

Just a will of God’s to prove

Beauty, beauty, beauty!