Review of Jamaican-American poet Claude Mckay’s poem ‘Birds of prey’

 I request the readers to read the poem first from the link below, and then my review. Thanks.

https://www.best-poems.net/claude_mckay/birds_of_prey.html

Jamaican-American poet Claude Mckay’s poem ‘Birds of prey’

The poem’s content is straight and simple. There are birds of prey and the vultures are hovering above who hunt and eat the prey. This is part of nature and ecological balance is all about some birds or animals falling prey to the carnivores. The poet has chosen this natural phenomenon as the theme of his poem. Is there anything that misses our eyes in the first read? We do get in the first read both the predator and the prey are metaphors, but is there anything deeper or the other side of the vultures hunting and eating birds of prey? We know eagles and vultures eat the meat of the dead animals too. Often they eat what’s left over a carcass of an animal hunted by a tiger, lion or a leopard. So, the poet is concerned that while there is an option, why does a meek bird fall prey often? This disturbs the poet. The poem subtly raises the question why the marginalized, the meek, the downtrodden and the have-nots must pledge their entire lifespan without any guarantee of basic amenities, education and health care. Their working conditions never change and are nearly inhuman. The majority of the citizens of the third world countries suffer from misrule, unstable governments who never address poverty and malnutrition. The indifference of developed nations to their plight disturbs any mind of human values. These poems are a reminder for us on inclusiveness, empathy and a more human world. The poem has succeeded in this.