Poetry by: Claude McKay

Sometimes I tremble like a storm-swept flower, And seek to hide my tortured soul from thee. Bowing my head in deep humility Before the silent thunder of thy power. Sometimes I flee before thy blazing light, As from the specter of pursuing death; Intimidated lest thy mighty breath, Windways, will sweep me into utter night. For oh, I fear they will be swallowed up-The loves which are to me of vital worth, My passion and my pleasure in the earth-And lost forever in thy magic cup! I fear, I fear my truly human heart Will perish on the altar-stone of art!

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Analysis
The theme of this poem is about his love that he has for poetry. Also how it affects him. He used a lot of figurative language like metaphors, similes, and he used personification. The tone of this poem is dingy and aggravated. I think that because it seems like the way it was worded and how I read it and I said the second word because he seemed upset and I thought of sorrow until it changes at the end, it seems to lighten up. There was allusion in the poem. What I think this poem is trying to say is that he has a great love for poetry and his life would be terrible without it and he probably wouldnt be the same I think his wording of the poem was nice to.