Home Thoughts

By Claude McKay

Oh something just now must be happening there!

That suddenly and quiveringly here,

Amid the city's noises, I must think

Of mangoes leaning o'er the river's brink,

And dexterous Davie climbing high above,

The gold fruits ebon-speckled to remove,

And toss them quickly in the tangled mass

Of wis-wis twisted round the guinea grass;

And Cyril coming through the bramble-track

A prize bunch of bananas on his back;

And Georgie—none could ever dive like him—

Throwing his scanty clothes off for a swim;

And schoolboys, from Bridge-tunnel going home,

Watching the waters downward dash and foam.

This is no daytime dream, there's something in it,

Oh something's happening there this very minute!