The Barrier
I must not gaze at them although
Your eyes are dawning day;
I must not watch you as you go
Your sun-illumined way;

I hear but I must never heed
The fascinating note,
Which, fluting like a river reed,
Comes from your trembing throat;

I must not see upon your face
Love’s softly glowing spark;
For there’s the barrier of race,
You’re fair and I am dark.

by Claude McKay

We have been reading harlem renaissance poem in my English 11 class. As one of our assignment we had to write a personal reflection for a poem in our own words. When I began reading this poem I did not understand it. I had to read it for about 5 times and analysed each line. When I put all the lines together I understood that no matter what race you are you are worth a lot,and to not let people put you down.