Simon the Cyrenian Speaks is a poem by American poet Countee Cullen about the titular speaker from the bible scripture. It originally appeared in Poetry: A Magazine of Verse edited by Harriet Monroe in May 1924. Cullen nurtured the idea that Simon of Cyrene was a black man since the character had also been portrayed by a black actor in Ridgely Torrence's 1917 play. Cullen was born in 1903 and was part of the literary community during the Harlem Renaissance after the Great War. He attended New York University and graduated in 1925 the same year he published his first poetry collection Color. His literary voice was an amalgamation of both his informal and formal education. He incorporated black ideas and white influences which embodied much of his works attracting both admiration and criticism. In this poem, Cullen offers the perspective of Simon the Cyrene to tackle the subjects of race, racism, and the suffering of Christ.
In the Bible when Jesus Christ was struggling with his cross the Roman soldiers obliged Simon the Cyrene to carry it on his behalf. The common interpretation of the act is that Simon displayed sympathy towards Christ and was therefore chosen by the Romans to help. However, some claim that he had no choice in the matter. In the poem, the speaker asserts that even though he never met Jesus he had a divine calling to the occasion. By the second stanza, he mentions his race which brings the factor of racism into the command to assist. Cullen delves into the topic of slavery and the idea that the black man was viewed as lesser than their white counterparts. In the third stanza, Simon admits his reluctance toward helping before realizing the spiritual purpose of his act. By the last stanza, he acknowledges the mission of Christ and the significance of fulfilling his spiritual quest.
