Woman, or: Beautiful

Poetry Partners #165

‘Black and Beautiful’, a poem by Irobiko Chimezie Kingsley of ‘MEZIESBLOG’

If you must lie to me, Maria, please try not to cry
Smile like a child and wipe my tears like blind Bartimaeus
Should you trip and fall off a cliff, spread your wings and fly
Sing a sweet song and let the world hear your lullaby
It’s okay to dance in the dark if your limelight is watching
The night is a time for lives we find timeless and boring
You can cry and fly and sing and dance to a song for whores, Maria
Don’t be scared of freedom, my love, because you’re black and beautiful

You’re a sharp sword forged for Sextus Pompeius Magnus Pius
Julius Caesar “The Great” can’t face your flame in my hands
Our future was carved in gold and no warlord can stop us
You’re the sword and spear and I’m the horse in armors
Those we trusted as doves are bad wolves, but we are God-like
When our weapons got blunt with sweat and blood, we turn vampires
So, we warred and cried, and sang and danced to one song with pride and joy
It takes two hearts of gold, big and bold, to behold and hold Holme’s “Home”

When the birds chirp and sing my tunes, will you remember?
When rippling waves recede and I call, will you come?
Look at the sky, gaze upon the sun, and remember
Let it dazzle your eyes and take you to November
Leave your pain and tears for me there, the doves and wolves will find peace
On my strung wings, soar high with strong winds and seize the keys, please
Unlock your world and see, deep within, what makes you black and beautiful
Black is truly beautiful, my love, go look into the mirror

• MEZIESBLOG: https://meziesblog.com/

A ‘Shadorma’ by ben Alexander of ‘The Skeptic’s Kaddish’

what magic
makes me throb before
you in the
black of night?
and how your smooth skin beckons-
beautiful temptress

---

Let’s write poetry together!

When it comes to partnership, some humans can make their lives alone – it’s possible. But creatively, it’s more like painting: you can’t just use the same colours in every painting. It’s just not an option. You can’t take the same photograph every time and live with art forms with no differences.

–Ben Harper (b. 1969)

Would you like to create poetry with me and have a completed poem of yours featured here at the Skeptic’s Kaddish? I am very excited to have launched the ‘Poetry Partners’ initiative and am looking forward to meeting and creating with you… Check it out!

---

List of Poetry Partners