Richard+Bruce+Nugent14

=__**Richard Bruce Nugent: Shadow**__=

**By Bryce Murphy**
Richard Nugent was born and grew up in Washington D.C. but moved to New York with his mother after his father died, in 1920. After a succession of different jobs, he decided he wished to become an artist, and moved to Washington to live with his grandparents. In Washington he met Langston Hughes, who helped him get his first poem published, shadow. After this was published, Nugent went with Mr. Hughes to Harlem, where he met many other people important to the Renaissance, and enjoying it so much that he quickly moved to Harlem. He helped get the magazine Fire published, and although it didn't last very long, it was still a triumph to the Renaissance. Although he did many contributions in poetry, Nugent is most famous for his artwork. Some common things about his artwork is that they were usually very colorful, but also often explicit. While the style is similar to other artists, it wouldn't get confused with other artist's work. One thing commonly stated about his personality, is that he cared very little about what other people thought, and didn't care about having a career as much as being himself. __**Shadow:**__

Silhouette On the face of the moon Am I. A dark shadow in the light. A silhouette am I On the face of the moon Lacking color Or vivid brightness But defined all the clearer Because I am dark, Black on the face of the moon. A shadow am I Growing in the light, Not understood as is the day, But more easily seen Because I am a shadow in the light.

__**Analysis**__ This poem is interesting, because although it is very simple, it also contains a lot of depth and meaning if you look under the surface. A silhouette stands out against the light, which is very likely a symbol for the loneliness of being different. This fits in with Nugent's life because he was African American and also openly homosexual, two very big minorities at this period of time. However, this poem can apply to any instance that one feels alone in the world. Being different is never easy, especially when you are also not understood. Although it is kind of a sad topic, the poem doesn't really have a depressing feel to it. It is calm, and states things for how they are. It almost ends on a positive note, stating that standing out has gotten him the success he has. With every thing he did, from his unique artwork to his poetry, Richard Nugent definitely stood out.

__Bibliography:__ "Richard Bruce Nugent." //Richard Bruce Nugent//. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2011. 