Section: «Poems»
Verse (ancient Greek ὁ στίχος — row, structure), a term in versification used in several meanings:
artistic speech organized by division into rhythmically commensurate segments; poetry in the narrow sense; in particular, it implies the properties of versification of a particular tradition ("antique verse", "Akhmatova's verse", etc.);
a line of poetic text organized according to a certain rhythmic pattern ("My uncle of the most honest rules").
Polarity
Nay, why reproach each other, be unkind,For there's no plane on which we two may meet?Let's both forgive, forget, for both were blind,And life is of..
© Claude McKay
Russian Cathedral
Bow down my soul in worship very lowAnd in the holy silences be lost.Bow down before the marble man of woe,Bow down before the singing angel..
© Claude McKay
To O.E.A.
Your voice is the color of a robin's breast,And there's a sweet sob in it like rain--still rain in the night.Among the leaves of the trumpet-tree..
© Claude McKay
On A Primitive Canoe
Here, passing lonely down this quiet lane,Before a mud-splashed window long I pauseTo gaze and gaze, while through my active brainStill thoughts are..
© Claude McKay
La Paloma In London
About Soho we went before the light;We went, unresting six, craving new fun,New scenes, new raptures, for the fevered nightOf rollicking laughter..
© Claude McKay
Tormented
I will not reason, wrestle here with you,Though you pursue and worry me about;As well put forth my swarthy arm to stopThe wild wind howling, darkly..
© Claude McKay
Morning Joy
At night the wide and level stretch of wold,Which at high noon had basked in quiet gold,Far as the eye could see was ghostly white;Dark was the night..
© Claude McKay
To Winter
Stay, season of calm love and soulful snows!There is a subtle sweetness in the sun,The ripples on the stream's breast gaily run,The wind more..
© Claude McKay
One Year After
INot once in all our days of poignant love,Did I a single instant give to theeMy undivided being wholly free.Not all thy potent passion could..
© Claude McKay
The Plateau
It was the silver, heart-enveloping viewOf the mysterious sea-line far away,Seen only on a gleaming gold-white day,That made it dear and beautiful to..
© Claude McKay
Memorial
Your body was a sacred cell always,A jewel that grew dull in garish light,An opal which beneath my wondering gazeGleamed rarely, softly throbbing in..
© Claude McKay
Subway Wind
Far down, down through the city's great, gaunt gut,The gray train rushing bears the weary wind;In the packed cars the fans the crowd's breath..
© Claude McKay
To One Coming North
At first you'll joy to see the playful snow,Like white moths trembling on the tropic air,Or waters of the hills that softly flowGracefully falling..
© Claude McKay
O Word I Love To Sing
O word I love to sing! thou art too tenderFor all the passions agitating me;For all my bitterness thou art too tender,I cannot pour my red soul into..
© Claude McKay
Jasmines
Your scent is in the room.Swiftly it overwhelms and conquers me!Jasmines, night jasmines, perfect of perfume,Heavy with dew before the dawn of..
© Claude McKay
On Broadway
About me young careless feetLinger along the garish street;Above, a hundred shouting signsShed down their bright fantastic glowUpon the merry crowd..
© Claude McKay
Summer Morn In New Hampshire
All yesterday it poured, and all night longI could not sleep; the rain unceasing beatUpon the shingled roof like a weird song,Upon the grass like..
© Claude McKay
The Castaways
The vivid grass with visible delightSpringing triumphant from the pregnant earth,The butterflies, and sparrows in brief flightChirping and dancing..
© Claude McKay
North And South
O sweet are tropic lands for waking dreams!There time and life move lazily along.There by the banks of blue-and-silver streamsGrass-sheltered..
© Claude McKay
Through Agony
IAll night, through the eternity of night,Pain was my potion though I could not feel.Deep in my humbled heart you ground your heel,Till I was reft of..
© Claude McKay
The Night-Fire
No engines shrieking rescue storm the night,And hose and hydrant cannot here avail;The flames laugh high and fling their challenging light,And clouds..
© Claude McKay
The Wild Goat
O you would clothe me in silken frocksAnd house me from the cold,And bind with bright bands my glossy locks,And buy me chains of gold;And give..
© Claude McKay
The Barrier
I must not gaze at them althoughYour eyes are dawning day;I must not watch you as you goYour sun-illumined way;I hear but I must never heedThe..
© Claude McKay
The Easter Flower
Far from this foreign Easter damp and chillyMy soul steals to a pear-shaped plot of ground,Where gleamed the lilac-tinted Easter lilySoft-scented in..
© Claude McKay
Poetry
Sometimes I tremble like a storm-swept flower,And seek to hide my tortured soul from thee.Bowing my head in deep humilityBefore the silent thunder of..
© Claude McKay