Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral is a book of poems by Phillis Wheatley (c. 1753 – 1784), the first African American woman to be published. Wheatley, who was born in West Africa and enslaved in America, surmounted the odds to become the first African American woman to publish a book of poetry. Her collection of poems stands as a testament to her extraordinary talent and unwavering spirit. Her verses drew inspiration from her African heritage, Christianity, the "new world" of America, and classical themes. She also wrote about her experiences as a slave and spoke out against it at public meetings. A powerful, poignant collection of poems, an unmissable read. Sneak Peek “In every human Breast, God has implanted a Principle, which we call Love of Freedom; it is impatient of Oppression, and pants for Deliverance.”