Religion

A Prayer

by Claude McKay 1889–1948

From Harlem Shadows

Religion

’Mid the discordant noises of the day I hear thee calling;
I stumble as I fare along Earth’s way; keep me from falling.

Mine eyes are open but they cannot see for gloom of night;
I can no more than lift my heart to thee for inward light.

The wild and fiery passion of my youth consumes my soul;
In agony I turn to thee for truth and self-control.

For Passion and all the pleasures it can give will die the death;
But this of me eternally must live, thy borrowed breath.

’Mid the discordant noises of the day I hear thee calling;
I stumble as I fare along Earth’s way; keep me from falling.

MLA

McKay, Claude. “A Prayer.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/mckay/49/.

Chicago

McKay, Claude. “A Prayer.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/mckay/49/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

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