Claude McKay - The Tropics in New York

February 8, 2010.

Claude McKay was born in Clarendon, Jamaica in 1889. He published his first book of verse in 1912 entitled, "Songs of Jamaica". He died in 1948. *A note on the text: a parish, in Jamaica, is akin to a county here in the States.

The Tropics in New York

Bananas ripe and green, and ginger-root, Cocoa in pods and alligator pears,
And tangerines and mangoes and grape fruit, Fit for the highest prize at parish fairs,

Set in the window, bringing memories Of fruit-trees laden by low-singing rills,
And dewy dawns, and mystical blue skies In benediction over nun-like hills.

My eyes grew dim, and I could no more gaze; A wave of longing through my body swept,
And, hungry for the old, familiar ways, I turned aside and bowed my head and wept.

Copy written materials are not mine and copy rights are retained by their respective owner(s). Actual lines of verse are reproduced here for educational, not-for-profit purposes.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Claude McKay
• Claude
• McKay
• Tropics in New York
• Tropics
• New York
• Fruits
• Old Country
• Jamaica
• Black History Month
• Black
• History
• Month
• Black History
• History Month
• Poems
• Poem
• Poets
• Poet
• Poetry
• Read Aloud
• Read
• Aloud
• PoemsEveryDay
• keeppoetryalive

[PoemsEveryDay]

I understand your point. I would call him Jamaican-born but he did emigrate to the United States and married a US Citizen (Eulalie Lewars) which cemented him as a US Citizen. He also was a major player in the Harlem Renaissance and was also politically active in the United States, crusading for equality for Black Americans. I do give you the head nod for him being from Jamaica, but he exemplifies the American Spirit in his writing and actions making him an American.