Although she feeds me bread of bitterness,
And sinks into my throat her tiger’s tooth,
Stealing my breath of life, I will confess
I love this cultured hell that tests my youth!
Her vigor flows like tides into my blood,
Giving me strength erect against her hate.
Her bigness sweeps my being like a flood.
Yet as a rebel fronts a king in state,
I stand within her walls with not a shred
Of terror, malice, not a word of jeer.
Darkly I gaze into the days ahead,
And see her might and granite wonders there,
Beneath the touch of Time’s unerring hand,
Like priceless treasures sinking in the sand.
(Claude McKay)
More Poetry from Claude McKay:
Claude McKay Poems based on Topics: Life, Time, Hatred, Youth, Rebellion, Kings & Queens, Charity- Two-An'-Six (Claude McKay Poems)
- To The White Fiends (Claude McKay Poems)
- The Negro's Friend (Claude McKay Poems)
- White Houses (Claude McKay Poems)
- When I Have Passed Away (Claude McKay Poems)
- Enslaved (Claude McKay Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Life Poems, Time Poems, Youth Poems, Kings & Queens Poems, Charity Poems, Hatred Poems, Rebellion PoemsBased on Keywords: priceless, cultured, fronts, vigor, shred, unerring, tests, jeer, bigness