I would like to share with you this poem of the late president of Senegal, Léopold Sédar Senghor. This poem is an ode to the Black woman, but above all, to Senegal his country. Yes… after reading it several times, one realizes that Senghor was writing an ode to the Black woman, his mother, his sister, his daughter, but above all to Senegal which could be loved just like a woman, and whose “beauty stroke him to the heart like the flash of an eagle”, and whose “Savannah stretch[ed] to clear horizons, savannah shuddering beneath the East Wind’s eager caresses.” This poem was published in ‘Chants d’Ombre’ (1945), English translation by Melvin Dixon (in The Collected Poetry (CARAF books …)). As you read Senghor’s poem, do you see other meanings? who do you think was the intended audience? Do you feel, like me, that he is praising Senegal, the land of his ancestors? or is he talking about the woman of his dreams? Enjoy!
Femme noire Femme nue, femme noire Femme nue, femme obscure Femme noire, femme obscure Délices des jeux de l’Esprit, les reflets de l’or ronge ta peau qui se moire A l’ombre de ta chevelure, s’éclaire mon angoisse aux soleils prochains de tes yeux. Femme nue, femme noire |
Black Woman
Naked woman, black woman Clothed with your colour which is life, with your form which is beauty Naked woman, dark woman Firm-fleshed ripe fruit, sombre raptures of black wine, mouth making lyrical my mouth Naked woman, dark woman Oil that no breath ruffles, calm oil on the Delights of the mind, the glinting of red gold against your watered skin Under the shadow of your hair, my care Naked woman, black woman, |
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Reblogged this on Outside my mind and commented:
A beautiful read…
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It seems like you took this translation from Senghor: Poetry and Prose by John Reed and Clive Wake. You should have given them credit!
It’s a really nice poem in English and in French.
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Thanks Elias. However the translation is not from John Reed/Clive Wake, but rather from Melvin Dixon. I will put the link now.
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