John Piper shares about Phyllis Wheatley, the first black person to have a book of poetry published in English. Below is an example of the richness of her words:
On Being Brought from Africa to America
’Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land,
Taught my benighted soul to understand
That there’s a God, that there’s a Saviour too:
Once I redemption neither sought nor knew.
Some view our sable race with scornful eye,
“Their colour is a diabolic die.”
Remember, Christians, Negros, black as Cain,
May be refin’d and join th’ angelic train.
via First Published Black Poet in America – Desiring God.
Updated post: Tony Reinke shares more about Wheatley on his blog, Miscellanes