by George Elliott Clarke
- Solomon speaketh encore:
“How beautiful are thy naked feet,
O Eve’s daughter!
The fix of thy thighs is
like the exquisite flexing of a compass—
the art of a sly drafter.
- “Thy navel is like a round goblet,
replete with Black Russian mix:
Thy belly is like onyx,
plated with gold-leaf.”*
- “Thy nose is like the Look-Off at Canning—
overlooking the Annapolis Valley,
that is so fecund and fragrant with wine grapes.
- “Thine head is like an earthly sun—
practically too beautiful to gaze at—
and thy hair is like black fire.
- “Thy stature is like unto a pine tree,
but thine tits equal firm, luscious pears.
- “Thy mouth runneth over with wine—
or kisses;
and your tongue is so honeyed,
its taste, its words,
could make the dead shout in delirium!
- “Thine eyes could be grapes—or olives;
depending on studious perspective.
Thy open mouth seems a watermelon,
bitten into, watering, pink as rosé.
- “Won’t our children settle Eden?
- “Persian Ethiopian, Israelite of Cathay,
Egyptian mature—haughty, busty,
our Love is no heartbreaking Coitus,
but il contiene scene a luci rosse—
the sour-sugar smell of lilacs,
the sweet compassionate pressure
of our Conjunction.
(No conjecture!)
- Sheba grabs the talking stick.
“I am my beloved’s,
and his desire is toward me:*
He thrills me to pieces!
- “At dawn, let’s take to the vineyard
to see if we can swig good wine,
and verify that the grapes are tender
and as inviting as breasts,
that their scent is like lilacs.
And there we’ll make love?
[Ottawa (Ontario) 24 janvier mmix & Nantes (France) 27 janvier & 1 février mmix]
* Song of Solomon 7:2.
* Song of Solomon 7:10.
