"Oh, Black known and unknown poets, how often have your auctioned pains sustained us? Who will compute the lonely nights made less lonely by your songs, or by the empty pots made less tragic by your tales?"

The excerpt highlights the deep emotional and cultural significance of Black poets and their work. It acknowledges how their poetry has provided solace during difficult times, offering comfort and a sense of shared experience despite hardships.

"If we were a people much given to revealing secrets, we might raise monuments and sacrifice to the memories of our poets, but slavery cured us of that weakness."

This statement reflects on how the history of slavery suppressed the full acknowledgment and celebration of Black voices and achievements. It suggests that the legacy of oppression has hindered the recognition of poets' contributions, leaving their impact less celebrated than it deserves.