Homage to the Empress of the Blues

By: Robert Hayden (1913-1980)

Robert Hayden a Detroit native, grew up around Paradise Valley with is foster family. As a youth Hayden was encouraged to pursue his passion for literature and movies. Although as a youth he faced many social-peer challenges because of his poor eyesight Hayden could not play with his peer group regularly and due to usually large eye-glasses he was often the object of ridicule.

Robert Hayden 1913-1980

Nevertheless, as a method of escape from being teased and dealing with abject poverty Hayden pressed passed the objectives and earned excelled beyond the expectation of what the "Negro" was capable to accomplish.

"Homage to the Empress of the Blues"

Because there was a man somewhere in a candy-stripe silk shirt, gracile and dangerous as a jaguar and because a woman moaned for him in sixty-watt gloom and mourned him Faithless Love Two-timing Love Oh Love Oh Careless Aggravating Love,

She came out on the stage in yards of pearls, emerging like a favorite scenic view, flashed her golden smile and sang.

Because grey laths began somewhere to show from underneath torn hurdy-gurdy lithographs of doll-faced heavens: and because there were those who feared alarming fists of snow on the door and those who feared the riot-squad of statistics,

She came out on stage in ostrich feathers, beaded satin, and shone that smile on us and sang.

A Luminary in African American Poetry

Robert Hayden, born Asa Bundy Sheffey on August 4, 1913, in Detroit, Michigan, was a distinguished African American poet and author who left an indelible mark on American literature. His legacy is celebrated for its profound exploration of African American history and culture, infused with a deep sense of humanity and spiritual insight. Hayden's work remains influential, as he skillfully employed the written word to shed light on both personal and collective experiences of African Americans.

Robert Hayden's early life was marked by hardship and resilience. Growing up in a poor neighborhood in Detroit, he was raised by foster parents, Sue Ellen Westerfield and William Hayden. Despite his difficult upbringing, Hayden showed early promise as a scholar and writer. He graduated from Detroit City College (now Wayne State University) in 1936, where he won the prestigious Hopwood Award for Poetry. This recognition was an early testament to his burgeoning talent and dedication to the craft of poetry.

In 1936, Hayden joined the Federal Writers' Project, a New Deal program that provided employment to writers during the Great Depression. As part of this initiative, he researched folklore and the history of local African Americans, including the Underground Railroad in Michigan. This experience deepened his understanding of African American heritage and significantly influenced his later works.

Hayden's poetry is known for its meticulous craftsmanship, emotional depth, and historical consciousness. His collection "A Ballad of Remembrance" won the grand prize for poetry at the First World Festival of Negro Arts in Dakar, Senegal, in 1966. Another notable work, "Those Winter Sundays," is a poignant reflection on his relationship with his foster father, capturing the complexity of familial love and sacrifice.

Hayden's involvement in the Civil Rights Movement also influenced his poetic style. He employed vivid imagery, historical references, and a deep sense of empathy to convey the experiences of African Americans. His work during this time is characterized by its emotional depth and its ability to connect personal narratives with broader social and political contexts

Robert Hayden's contributions to American poetry are immeasurable. Through his masterful use of language and deep exploration of African American history and identity, he created a body of work that resonates with readers across generations. Hayden's legacy as a poet and cultural historian ensures that his voice will remain a vital part of the literary landscape, offering insight, inspiration, and a profound connection to the human experience.

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