Baptism by Claude McKay
1 min to read
107 words

Into the furnace let me go alone; Stay you without in terror of the heat.

I will go naked in—for thus ’tis sweet— Into the weird depths of the hottest zone. I will not quiver in the frailest bone, You will not note a flicker of defeat; My heart shall tremble not its fate to meet, Nor mouth give utterance to any moan. The yawning oven spits forth fiery spears; Red aspish tongues shout wordlessly my name. Desire destroys, consumes my mortal fears, Transforming me into a shape of flame.

I will come out, back to your world of tears, A stronger soul within a finer frame.

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White Houses by Claude McKay
1 min to read
108 words
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