I <br /> <br />All night, through the eternity of night, <br />Pain was my potion though I could not feel. <br />Deep in my humbled heart you ground your heel, <br />Till I was reft of even my inner light, <br />Till reason from my mind had taken flight, <br />And all my world went whirling in a reel. <br />And all my swarthy strength turned cold like steel, <br />A passive mass beneath your puny might. <br />Last night I gave you triumph over me, <br />So I should be myself as once before, <br />I marveled at your shallow mystery, <br />And haunted hungrily your temple door. <br />I gave you sum and substance to be free, <br />Oh, you shall never triumph any more! <br /> <br /> <br />II <br /> <br />I do not fear to face the fact and say, <br />How darkly-dull my living hours have grown, <br />My wounded heart sinks heavier than stone, <br />Because I loved you longer than a day! <br />I do not shame to turn myself away <br />From beckoning flowers beautifully blown, <br />To mourn your vivid memory alone <br />In mountain fastnesses austerely gray. <br />The mists will shroud me on the utter height, <br />The salty, brimming waters of my breast <br />Will mingle with the fresh dews of the night <br />To bathe my spirit hankering to rest. <br />But after sleep I'll wake with greater might, <br />Once more to venture on the eternal quest.<br /><br />Claude McKay<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/through-agony/
