Re-Affirmation

by Claude McKay

Re-Affirmation

I am downhearted not, although it seems
   The new birth is abortive in the West,
And men are turning from long-cherished dreams
   ​Of world-wide freedom to ignoble rest.

I am discouraged not, although the foe—
   Shameless, like boars disporting in the mud
Of their foul fen where nothing fair can grow—
   ​Wallow obscenely in the workers' blood.

I am despairing not, though in our ranks,
   Hard-pressed and weak, are fools and fops and knaves,
Who with their selfish aims and wanton pranks
   Would sell the Cause to be contented slaves.

What though I see the trusted and the tried
   For many a year turn traitor at the last,
go over to the seeming stronger side!—
   ​My heart feels sick, but I am not downcast.

The babe bursts from the mother's womb in pain
   The night is darkest just before the dawn,
The heavens turn black to bless the earth with rain,
   ​I am disheartened not, I will keep on.

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