early 20th-century America, and many of Ricks's poems—of which he published hundreds—were featured in the popular press. According to a 1940 article in the California Eagle, one of Ricks's poems was included in the "largest book of poetry in the world", exhibited at the 1939 World's Fair. Political and social themes Among the many subjects Ricks treated in his work were political and social issues, including the oppression of Black Americans and hopes for racial progress in the United States. "Lynched—At Waco, and on Calvary" (1916) compares lynching to crucifixion. Given the title and date of composition, Ricks likely responds in the work to the 1916 lynching of Jesse Washington in Waco, Texas. Introducing "Do We Remember?—Memorial Day, 1916", published in the Eagle that year, an anonymous commentator wrote: As Scott and Burns sang of the fatherland, so sings Mr. Ricks of his people in this country. In every bit we find a sort of pleading, but manly ring in blank verse and rhythm asking for universal brotherhood of all mankind. The poem presumably refers to the end of the Civil War in 1865, given its frequent reference to events 50 years prior. It is composed in quatrains of iambic tetrameter. Ricks writes in the final stanza: Do we remember why they fought? Have we from them their vision caught? Does Liberty stand out as clear? Is Freedom to our hearts as dear? ... Let Freedom true our land embrace, That we, like them, the grave may face; In conscious pride of work well done, To keep Old Glory in the sun. On July 1, 1917, an ode written by Ricks to Lieutenant Colonel Charles Young, the first African American to become an Army colonel, was given to Young at an event organized by the NAACP at which Young spoke. The poem, also in iambic tetrameter, began: Could I portray in words of grace The service you have done your race; Could I but half such service do; Then I might pen a song to you. Works See also History of San Francisco Notes Sources External links 1876 births 1948 deaths 20th-century American poets African-American poets Military personnel from Virginia People from Wytheville, Virginia Poets from California Poets from Virginia United States Army soldiers 20th-century African-American writers