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In this collection, the Harlem Renaissance poet speaks of race, morality, and identity. A good portion of his poetry is structured in a consistent rhyming scheme that narrator Don Hooper delivers with ease at a moderate tempo. The spiritual undertones of Cullen's work mesh well with Hooper's steady pace and lyrical tone. Hooper emphasizes every word and subtly speeds up to increase the momentum of certain phrases. There is a classical performative intonation in Hooper's voice. He does not miss a beat with the rhyming verses. His delivery may seem a bit too simplistic at first, but the words themselves give the listener room to pause. There are candor and a few moments of humor, as well as religious humility, throughout Cullen's collection. T.E.C. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2022]