Their shadow dims the sunshine of our day, <br />As they go lumbering across the sky, <br />Squawking in joy of feeling safe on high, <br />Beating their heavy wings of owlish gray. <br />They scare the singing birds of earth away <br />As, greed-impelled, they circle threateningly, <br />Watching the toilers with malignant eye, <br />From their exclusive haven--birds of prey. <br />They swoop down for the spoil in certain might, <br />And fasten in our bleeding flesh their claws. <br />They beat us to surrender weak with fright, <br />And tugging and tearing without let or pause, <br />They flap their hideous wings in grim delight, <br />And stuff our gory hearts into their maws.<br /><br />Claude McKay<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/birds-of-prey/
