"America" by Claude McKay
Another great poet of the 20th century.
Although she feeds me bread of bitterness,
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!
Her vigor flows like tides into my blood,
Giving me strength erect against her hate.
Her bigness sweeps my being like a flood.
Yet as a rebel fronts a king in state,
I stand within her walls with not a shred
Of terror, malice, not a word of jeer.
Darkly I gaze into the days ahead,
And see her might and granite wonders there,
Beneath the touch of Time's unerring hand,
Like priceless treasures sinking in the sand.
Yes... America flows like tides into my blood too, I live next door and her cultured hell definitly tests my youth too! I am often sucked in to the culural whirlwinds of my neighbour. Mckay was a great poet and activist...Again I looked him up(thanks Diana) and wondered if this piece could be totally misunderstood and interpreted as a full endorsement by a broad range of Americans. Maybe that was your intent Diana, open up the minds of Amercans no matter how MAGISH. Thank you!