Introduction Harlem renaissance refers to the black American intellectuals and artistic movement, which developed during 1920s. The movement occurred in Harlem, New York, though its influence spread in the entire country and reached the world. Due to civil war, many black Americans moved to the northern urban regions such as Chicago and New York. Harlem was the major destination where several black Americans resided. It was a place where culture of the black Americans thrived. Black American intellectuals, musicians, writes, artists and poets established new methods of expressing delight in their culture and race. The basis of Harlem renaissance was the fact that it was the time for black Americans to become active in the society and develop their culture in important ways. Poetry was a significant aspect of the Harlem renaissance. Claude McKay and Langston Hughes were some of the great Harlem renaissance poets. Claude McKay created an influential poem known as ‘If We Must Die’ while Langston Hughes wrote a poem called ‘The Negro Speaks of rivers’ (1920)