American author, poet and journalist of African-American and Montaukett Native American heritage, she celebrated both of her heritages in her work. After being noticed by Paul Laurence Dunbar, she published two volumes of poetry and became a member of the early Harlem Renaissance.

I said a thoughtless word one day, A loved one heard and went away; I cried: "Forgive me, I was blind; I would not wound or be unkind." I waited long, but all in vain, To win my loved one back again. Too late, alas! to weep and pray, Death came; my loved one passed away. Then, what a bitter fate was mine; No language could my grief define; Tears of deep regret could not unsay The thoughtless word I spoke that day.