Classic and Contemporary Poetry
TIGER, by CLAUDE MCKAY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The white man is a tiger at my throat Last Line: The tiger in his strength his thirst must slake! Alternate Author Name(s): Edwards, Eli Subject(s): Racism; United States; Racial Prejudice; Bigotry; America | ||||||||
The white man is a tiger at my throat, Drinking my blood as my life ebbs away, And muttering that his terrible striped coat Is Freedom's and portends the Light of Day. Oh white man, you may suck up all my blood And throw my carcass into potter's field, But never will I say with you that mud Is bread for Negroes! Never will I yield. Europe and Asia wait The touted New Deal of the New World's hand! New systems will be built on race and hate, The Eagle and the Dollar will command. Oh Lord! My body, and my heart too, break -- The tiger in his strength his thirst must slake! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...JULY FOURTH BY THE OCEAN by ROBINSON JEFFERS SHINE, PERISHING REPUBLIC by ROBINSON JEFFERS SHINE, PERISHING REPUBLIC by ROBINSON JEFFERS WATCH THE LIGHTS FADE by ROBINSON JEFFERS AFTER TENNYSON by AMBROSE BIERCE MEETING YOU AT THE PIERS by KENNETH KOCH INVOCATION TO THE SOCIAL MUSE by ARCHIBALD MACLEISH |
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