|
|
Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A HALF-CASTE PRAYS, by GORDON LECLAIRE First Line: Forgive, o god, the occidental anger' Last Line: "subdue my soul to match these almond eyes!" | |||
"Forgive, O God, the occidental anger Fomenting through these veins, a seething flood, Which vies with cool of oriental languor To form a bristling murk in mongrel blood. The East and West, though twain, in me commingle, Yet each reviles me and I brood alone -- The earth affords no corner for my ingle, No pillow for my head but hatred's stone! Why must this body white as any mortal's Forever be forsworn by eyes that slant? Why must this heart-bird dash convention's portals, Foredoomed as any sea-mad cormorant? Forgive, O All-Wise Father, if I wonder Why You Who made of one blood humankind, Predestined me to be a living blunder In whom two separate bloods war fiercely blind. Oh Christian God, I'd hail this hybrid chrism As one whom cleansing tongues of fire baptize, If You would only halt this vengeful schism -- Subdue my soul to match these almond eyes!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE END OF THINKING by GORDON LECLAIRE EPITAPH: FOR A LADY I KNOW by COUNTEE CULLEN THE MAN HE KILLED by THOMAS HARDY CUPID MISTAKEN by MATTHEW PRIOR THE END OF THE DAY by DUNCAN CAMPBELL SCOTT ANOTHER REAPER by WILLIAM H. ARMSTRONG III |
| |