Snow Fairy

Overnight snow

The Snow Fairy

BY CLAUDE MCKAY

Throughout the afternoon I watched them there,

Snow-fairies falling, falling from the sky,

Whirling fantastic in the misty air,

Contending fierce for space supremacy.

And they flew down a mightier force at night,

As though in heaven there was revolt and riot,

And they, frail things had taken panic flight

Down to the calm earth seeking peace and quiet.

I went to bed and rose at early dawn

To see them huddled together in a heap,

Each merged into the other upon the lawn,

Worn out by the sharp struggle, fast asleep.

The sun shone brightly on them half the day,

By night they stealthily had stol’n away.

And suddenly my thoughts then turned to you

Who came to me upon a winter’s night,

When snow-sprites round my attic window flew,

Your hair disheveled, eyes aglow with light.

My heart was like the weather when you came,

The wanton winds were blowing loud and long;

But you, with joy and passion all aflame,

You danced and sang a lilting summer song.

I made room for you in my little bed,

Took covers from the closet fresh and warm,

A downful pillow for your scented head,

And lay down with you resting in my arm.

You went with Dawn. You left me ere the day,

The lonely actor of a dreamy play.

Source: Harlem Shadows (1922)

Writing prompt:

• Read Claude McKay's poem. Write down two or three words, or phrases, that strike you (for example 'contending', 'stealthily','space supremacy', 'your disheveled hair'). Put each word, or phrase, at the top of a clean page. Set a timer and write about each one, whatever comes into your head, for two minutes.
• The first few lines of the poem are so evocative. Write about a time you remember, perhaps when you were a child, when you watched snowflakes whirling and falling from the sky.
• Who was it that climbed into the poet's bed, but disappeared with the dawn? Use your imagination and write for seven minutes.
• Write the words, "You left me ......" at the top of a page then continue to write down whatever thoughts they trigger in your head. Write for six minutes.