Ode to Natural Black Beauty: A Poem

"Naked woman, black woman
Clothed in your color which is life, in your form which is beauty
I grew up in your shadow; the softness of your hands bandaged my eyes
And now in the heart of Summer and Noon,
I discover you, Promised Land, from the top of a high charred pass
And your beauty strikes me to the heart, like the lightning of an eagle
Naked woman, dark woman
Ripe fruit with firm flesh, dark ecstasies of black wine, mouth that makes my mouth lyrical
Savanna with pure horizons, savanna that trembles at the fervent caresses of the East Wind
Carved drum, taut drum that rumbles under the fingers of the conqueror
Your grave contralto voice is the spiritual song of the Beloved
Black woman, dark woman
Oil that no breath wrinkles, calm oil on the flanks of the athlete, on the
flanks of the princes of Mali
Gazelle with celestial limbs, pearls are stars on the night of your
skin.
Delights of the games of the Spirit, the reflections of gold gnaw at your shimmering skin
In the shadow of your hair, my anguish brightens in the coming suns of your eyes.
Naked woman, black woman
I sing your fleeting beauty, form that I fix in the Eternal
Before jealous destiny reduces you to ashes to nourish the
roots of life."

Copyright Afrochic by pantherimage, Ayjathal Bijoux
Excerpt from "Poetic Works", Seuil edition
Léopold Sédar Senghor