Explore the poem

This poem tells the story of Harriet Tubman, an American woman who was born into slavery, escaped and then spent her life bravely rescuing many other ‘Black sisters and brothers’.

Harriet Tubman’s spirit is captured in the dynamic language of this poem. Take a look at the first two lines. Can you find where they are repeated later in the poem? Practise saying these lines with strength and determination – as Harriet would have needed for her rescue missions.

Now look at the last two lines of the poem. The same line is repeated but how will you say it each time? The same? Or different? Why?

October is Black History Month. Could you perform ‘Harriet Tubman’ for other people? Or try other poems that tell stories from Black History such as John Agard’s ‘Checking Out Me History’, Rita Dove’s ‘Rosa’ or Pamela Mordecai’s ‘Lament of an Arawak Child’.

About Eloise Greenfield

Eloise Greenfield was born in the state of North Carolina, USA, but grew up close to the capital city, Washington D.C. At this time, in parts of the USA, white and black people were kept separate in society, including in schools, which limited opportunities for black citizens. This kind of racial segregation is now considered a crime against humanity. As a child, Greenfield liked to spend her time reading and writing, two passions which stayed through to adulthood. She began writing poetry in her first job as a way to stave off boredom at work. In 1962 she had her first poem published, in the Hartford Times newspaper, and she decided to devote more time to writing. Over her long and successful career, Greenfield published over 40 books for children, writing poetry and also picture books, biographies and fiction.

Greenfield’s writing is focused on the everyday experiences of African American people and families in particular. She drew attention to positive stories and portrayals of this community, and created literature that Greenfield says was not available to her as a child. One of her best-known poetry collections, Honey, I Love, reflects this. She was also an advocate for African American literature, giving workshops and lectures. In 2018 she received the Coretta Scott King–Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement, a prestigious prize for American writers of colour. She was described by the award committee as a ‘trailblazer’ whose work ‘inspires and enriches readers’. Greenfield said what she most loved about writing ‘are those hours that seem almost magical. I sit in a quiet place and people are born into my imagination. Their whole lives, the things they do and think, the places they live become real to me, and words come of their own accord.’