Countee Cullen, "Icarian Wings" (1921/1924)
My soul goes clad like Icarus,
To genie lands of summer snow;
Rejuvenated impetus
For laggard limbs is there; the lamp
Of far Cathay, my passive slave,
Works mighty change in court and camp,
And none my ire have strength to brave.
When silver rifts disturb the night
And herald light's diurnal reign,
My airy oars my pleas requite
With disobedience; in vain
Cajoleries and arts; once more
My lot to don the drab, dull husk
You know; my golden wings I store
And wait the halcyon time of dusk.
Published in The Clintonion (Countee Cullen's High school's yearbook), 1921
Published in The Crisis, April 1924