English Poetry. Claude McKay. Subway Wind. Клод Маккей.

Claude McKay (Клод Маккей) 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 cut, Leaving the sick and heavy air behind. And pale-cheeked children […]

English Poetry. Claude McKay. Russian Cathedral. Клод Маккей.

Claude McKay (Клод Маккей) Russian Cathedral Bow down my soul in worship very low And in the holy silences be lost. Bow down before the marble man of woe, Bow down before the singing angel host. What jewelled glory fills my spirit’s eye, What golden grandeur moves […]

English Poetry. Claude McKay. Romance. Клод Маккей.

Claude McKay (Клод Маккей) Romance To clasp you now and feel your head close-pressed, Scented and warm against my beating breast; To whisper soft and quivering your name, And drink the passion burning in your frame; To lie at full length, taut, with cheek to […]

English Poetry. Claude McKay. Poetry. Клод Маккей.

Claude McKay (Клод Маккей) Poetry Sometimes I tremble like a storm-swept flower, And seek to hide my tortured soul from thee. Bowing my head in deep humility Before the silent thunder of thy power. Sometimes I flee before thy blazing light, As […]

English Poetry. Claude McKay. Outcast. Клод Маккей.

Claude McKay (Клод Маккей) Outcast For the dim regions whence my fathers came My spirit, bondaged by the body, longs. Words felt, but never heard, my lips would frame; My soul would sing forgotten jungle songs. I would go back to darkness and […]

English Poetry. Claude McKay. On the Road. Клод Маккей.

Claude McKay (Клод Маккей) On the Road Roar of the rushing train fearfully rocking, Impatient people jammed in line for food, The rasping noise of cars together knocking, And worried waiters, some in ugly mood, Crowding into the choking pantry hole To […]

English Poetry. Claude McKay. Jasmines. Клод Маккей.

Claude McKay (Клод Маккей) 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 day! Your face was in the mirror. I could see You smile […]

English Poetry. Claude McKay. Homing Swallows. Клод Маккей.

Claude McKay (Клод Маккей) Homing Swallows Swift swallows sailing from the Spanish main, O rain-birds racing merrily away From hill-tops parched with heat and sultry plain Of wilting plants and fainting flowers, say– When at the noon-hour from the chapel school […]

English Poetry. Claude McKay. Home Thoughts. Клод Маккей.

Claude McKay (Клод Маккей) Home Thoughts Oh something just now must be happening there! That suddenly and quiveringly here, Amid the city’s noises, I must think Of mangoes leaning o’er the river’s brink, And dexterous Davie climbing high above, The gold fruits […]

English Poetry. Claude McKay. Heritage. Клод Маккей.

Claude McKay (Клод Маккей) Heritage Now the dead past seems vividly alive, And in this shining moment I can trace, Down through the vista of the vanished years, Your faun-like form, your fond elusive face. And suddenly some secret spring’s released, And unawares a riddle is […]

English Poetry. Claude McKay. Flame-Heart. Клод Маккей.

Claude McKay (Клод Маккей) Flame-Heart So much have I forgotten in ten years, So much in ten brief years! I have forgot What time the purple apples come to juice, And what month brings the shy forget-me-not. I have forgot the special, startling season Of the pimento’s […]

English Poetry. Claude McKay. Courage. Клод Маккей.

Claude McKay (Клод Маккей) Courage O lonely heart so timid of approach, Like the shy tropic flower that shuts its lips To the faint touch of tender finger tips: What is your word? What question would you broach? Your lustrous-warm eyes are […]

English Poetry. Claude McKay. Africa. Клод Маккей.

Claude McKay (Клод Маккей) Africa The sun sought thy dim bed and brought forth light, The sciences were sucklings at thy breast; When all the world was young in pregnant night Thy slaves toiled at thy monumental best. Thou ancient treasure-land, thou modern prize, […]