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Claude McKay (15 September 1889 – 22 May 1948 / Clarendon)
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Claude McKay was a Jamaican-American writer and poet. He was a seminal figure in the Harlem Renaissance and wrote three novels: Home to Harlem (1928), a best-seller which won the Harmon Gold Award for Literature, Banjo (1929), and Banana Bottom (1933). McKay also authored a collection of short stories, Gingertown (1932), and two autobiographical books, A Long Way from Home (1937) and Harlem: Negro Metropolis (1940). His book of poetry, Harlem Shadows (1922) was among the first books published during the Harlem Renaissance. His book of collected poems, Selected Poems (1953), was published posthumously.
McKay was attracted to communism in his early life, but he was never a member ... more »
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Popular Poems
- A Memory of June
- A Prayer
- A Red Flower
- Absence
- Adolescence
- Africa
- After the Winter
- Alfonso, Dressing to Wait at Table
- America
- Baptism
- Birds of Prey
- Commemoration
- Courage
- Dawn in New York
Quotations
more quotations »-
''The shivering birds beneath the eaves
Claude McKay (1889-1948), U.S.-Jamaican poet. After the Winter (l. 3-4). . . Poetry of Black America, The; Anthology of the 20th Century. Arnold A...
Have sheltered for the night.''
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''Although she feeds me bread of bitterness,
Claude McKay (1889-1948), U.S.-Jamaican poet. America (l. 1-4). . . Norton Anthology of Modern Poetry, The. Richard Ellmann and Robert O'Clair, ed...
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!''
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''I have forgotten much, but still remember
Claude McKay (1889-1948), U.S.-Jamaican poet. Flame-Heart (l. 9-10). . . Caroling Dusk; an Anthology of Verse by Negro Poets. Countee Cullen, ed. ...
The poinsettia's red, blood-red in warm December.''
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''Oh some I know! I have embalmed the days,
Claude McKay (1889-1948), U.S.-Jamaican. Flame-Heart (l. 26-29). . . Caroling Dusk; an Anthology of Verse by Negro Poets. Countee Cullen, ed. (192...
Even the sacred moments when we played,
All innocent of passion, uncorrupt,
At noon and evening in the flame-heart's shade.''
really romantic poem.. :)
went to school reading claude, , we are from the same parish in jamaica nd i even know his home town, , yes indeed here i am right by his side, ,