Adolescence
There was a time when in late afternoon The four-o’clocks would fold up at day’s close Pink-white in prayer, and ’neath the floating moon I lay with them in calm and sweet repose. And in the open spaces I could sleep, Half-naked to the shining worlds above; Peace came with sleep and sleep was long and deep, Gained without effort, sweet like early love. But now no balm--nor drug nor weed nor wine-- Can bring true rest to cool my body’s fever, Nor sweeten in my mouth the acid brine, That salts my choicest drink and will forever.
Claude McKay’s other poems:
890
