Black Woman
Naked woman, black woman
Dressed in your color that is life, in your form that is
Dressed in your color that is life, in your form that is
beauty!
I grew up in your shadow. The softness of your hands
I grew up in your shadow. The softness of your hands
Shielded my eyes, and now at the height of Summer and
Noon,
From the crest of the charred hilltop I discover you, Promised
Land
And your beauty strikes my heart like an eagle’s lightning
And your beauty strikes my heart like an eagle’s lightning
flash.
Naked woman, dark woman
Ripe fruit with firm flesh, dark raptures of black wine,
Naked woman, dark woman
Ripe fruit with firm flesh, dark raptures of black wine,
Mouth that gives music to the mouth
Savanna of clear horizons, savanna quivering to the fervent
Savanna of clear horizons, savanna quivering to the fervent
caress
Of the East Wind, sculptured tom-tom, stretched drumskin
Moaning under the hands of the conqueror
Your deep contralto voice is the spiritual song of the
Your deep contralto voice is the spiritual song of the
Beloved.
Naked woman, dark woman
Oil no breeze can ripple, oil soothing the thighs
Of athletes and the thighs of the princes of Mali
Gazelle with celestial limbs, pearls are stars
Upon the night of your skin. Delight of the mind’s riddle,
Naked woman, dark woman
Oil no breeze can ripple, oil soothing the thighs
Of athletes and the thighs of the princes of Mali
Gazelle with celestial limbs, pearls are stars
Upon the night of your skin. Delight of the mind’s riddle,
The reflection of red gold from your shimmering skin
In the shade of your hair, my despair
Lightens in the close suns of your eyes.
Naked woman, black woman
I sing your passing beauty and fix it for all Eternity
In the shade of your hair, my despair
Lightens in the close suns of your eyes.
Naked woman, black woman
I sing your passing beauty and fix it for all Eternity
before jealous Fate reduces you to ashes to nourish the roots
of life.
