I Know My Soul
Channel: Julia Bloom
Date: 2020-12-03

A poem by Claude McKay (public domain, from his book Harlem Shadows, 1922). Week 49 #songaweek2020. All photos came from an Internet search of Claude McKay images. I'm overwhelmed sometimes thinking of all the deep and moving and powerful artistic work that's been done by humans throughout time and place; enjoy calling old things back from time to time.

D   A   Em G
I plucked my soul out of its secret place,
 Em   F#m     G
And held it to the mirror of my eye,
D  A   Em      G
To see it like a star against the sky,
 Em   Bm    G
A twitching body quivering in space,
  D  A   G
A spark of passion shining on my face.
 F#m   Bm
And I explored it to determine why
 G
This awful key to my infinity
 D  F#m  G
Conspires to rob me of sweet joy and grace.
  Em       A
And if the sign may not be fully read,
  Em     A
If I can comprehend but not control,
  G     Em    A
I need not gloom my days with futile dread,
  Em     A
Because I see a part and not the whole.
    G    A
Contemplating the strange, I’m comforted
    D  A   G
By this narcotic thought: I know my soul.