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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


MY MOTHER (1) by CLAUDE MCKAY

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: THE DAWN DEPARTS, THE MORNING IS BEGUN
Last Line: BENEATH ITS BREAST MY MOTHER LIES ASLEEP.
Subject(s): MOTHERS;

The dawn departs, the morning is begun,
The Trades come whispering from off the seas,
The fields of corn are golden in the sun,
The dark-brown tassels fluttering in the breeze;
The bell is sounding and children pass,
Frog-leaping, skipping, shouting, laughing shrill,
Down the red road, over the pasture-grass,
Up to the schoolhouse crumbling on the hill.
The older folk are at their peaceful toil,
Some pulling up the weeds, some plucking corn,
And others breaking up the sun-baked soil.
Float, faintly scented breeze, at early morn
Over the earth where mortals sow and reap -
Beneath its breast my mother lies asleep.



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