Wanda McKay

Wanda Coleman-
I am seized by a desire to end
my breath in spurts. shoulder pain
the world grows, so contracts
(In deep water - my pool sudden. The surface
breaks. jump thoughts. Buick turns
corner. an arc of light sweeps briefly dark walls)
Everywhere there are temples of stone
and strange songs - angels and dolls ash
I forgot my lover. I want a foreign -
to shudder at the touch of a familiar
which I have not yet touched

a spider in my hair to trap hungers
in silk. with the virulent toxin
to numb the throat

Pablo Neruda-
Perhaps you remember that man shaving face
who slipped out of the darkness like a knife
and - before we realized - knew what he was:
he saw the smoke and fire agreement.


The pale woman with black hair
rose as a fish of the abyss
and two of them set up a gear,
armed to the teeth, against love.


Man and woman, they killed mountains and gardens,
they went down to the river, they scaled the walls,
They raised their guns up the hill atrocious.


Then love knew it was called love.
And when I looked up your name,
suddenly your heart showed me my way.

Birds of Prey by Claude McKay
Their shadow dims the sun today
As they go through the forest sky
Squealing in joy of feeling safe on high,
Beating their heavy wings of gray owl.
They scare the birds singing in the ground away
Because of greed, pushed, they circle threatening,
Looking laborers with malignant eyes,
Their exclusive haven - birds of prey.
They swoop down to loot some might
And lay in our bleeding flesh their claws.
They beat us to go weak with fright
And pulling and tearing without let or pause,
They flap their hideous wings in joy dark
And our hearts Stuff gore in their mouths.

You must do your own homework.