THE BARRIER

by: Claude McKay (1890-1948)

      MUST not gaze at them although
      Your eyes are dawning day;
      I must not watch you as you go
      Your sun-illumined way;
       
      I hear but I must never heed
      The fascinating note,
      Which, fluting like a river reed,
      Comes from your trembing throat;
       
      I must not see upon your face
      Love's softly glowing spark;
      For there's the barrier of race,
      You're fair and I am dark.

"The Barrier" is reprinted from Harlem Shadows. Claude McKay. New York: Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1922.

MORE POEMS BY CLAUDE MCKAY

RELATED LINKS

BROWSE THE POETRY ARCHIVE:

[ A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z ]

Home · Poetry Store · Links · Email · © 2002 Poetry-Archive.com