We real cool

The poem "We Real Cool" by Gwendolyn Brooks comprises four stanzas and eight lines, which are broken up into repeating couplets. The poem is fairly brief and uses the fewest possible words to convey the speaker's meaning. Each line contains three words, the final of which is "We," with the exception of the first and last. The simplest rhymes are produced as a result. Up until the last line of the poem, it is a constant. After the words "Die soon," it stops. The conclusion imitated death itself.

Numerous alternate interpretations of the speaker have been made.

A player speaking on behalf of the entire group, a spectator projecting their opinions onto the group, or all seven players simultaneously speaking each line are all possibilities. The speaker of the poem declares at the outset that he and his friends are "cool." They stopped attending school to avoid the establishment, where they now spend their days playing pool. The players don't appear to care about their futures, only the here and now. They are "Lurk[ing]" at night and consuming dilute gin to satisfy their most fundamental needs.

The poem concludes with the speaker noting and accepting the fact that all are going to “Die soon.” This is a striking ending that makes one wonder how the characters got into the situation they are in and if they are truly happy and confident with the choices they made.

Poet: Gwendolyn Brooks
Published: 1960