Any Human to Another

Countee Cullen uses inverted syntax in this poem. Inverted syntax separates the subject from its verb, and the sentence does not begin with the subject. Inverted word order can be confusing at first, and you might need to reread sentences in order to understand their meaning. Paraphrase, or restate in your own words, the first stanza of Cullen’s poem. Then continue to paraphrase each of the remaining stanzas.