Their shadow dims the sunshine of our day,
As they go lumbering across the sky,
Squawking in joy of feeling safe on high,
Beating their heavy wings of owlish gray.
They scare the singing birds of earth away
As, greed-impelled, they circle threateningly,
Watching the toilers with malignant eye,
From their exclusive haven–birds of prey.
They swoop down for the spoil in certain might,
And fasten in our bleeding flesh their claws.
They beat us to surrender weak with fright,
And tugging and tearing without let or pause,
They flap their hideous wings in grim delight,
And stuff our gory hearts into their maws.
(Claude McKay)
More Poetry from Claude McKay:
Claude McKay Poems based on Topics: Joy & Excitement, Singing, Emotions- 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)
- After the Winter (Claude McKay Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Joy & Excitement Poems, Singing Poems, Emotions PoemsBased on Keywords: flap, fasten, malignant, gory, swoop, exclusive, toilers, dims, lumbering, tugging, maws