(15 September 1889 – 22 May 1948 / Clarendon)

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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,
New peoples marvel at thy pyramids!
The years roll on, thy sphinx of riddle eyes
Watches the mad world with immobile lids.
The Hebrews humbled them at Pharaoh's name.
Cradle of Power! Yet all things were in vain!
Honor and Glory, Arrogance and Fame!
They went. The darkness swallowed thee again.
Thou art the harlot, now thy time is done,
Of all the mighty nations of the sun.

Submitted: Friday, January 03, 2003


Read poems about / on: power, sun, africa, world, light, night, time

Comments about this poem (Africa by Claude McKay )

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  • john tiong chunghoo (9/3/2006 2:12:00 AM)

    love this claude. supreme well use of words.

    4 person liked.
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